Prime Minister Hon. James Marape leaves for Bangkok, Thailand, today (November 15, 2022) to attend the first in-person APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) in four years at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok.
APEC2022 Thailand is held under the theme: “Open. Connect. Balance.”
“This will be the first in-person AELW in four years since Papua New Guinea hosted APEC2018,” PM Marape said.
“Leaders of some of the world’s largest economies will be present in Bangkok, some of whom I will be meeting.
“I will be meeting the Leaders of China, Canada, South Korea and USA.
“Papua New Guinea is very privileged to be among the APEC Group of Nations.
“I thank APEC countries Australia, Japan, China, USA, New Zealand, Korea and Indonesia for helping PNG during the tough times of COVID-19.
“I also thank the global institutions World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank for helping us during these trying times.”
The 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) will be held on November 18-19.
H.E. General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand will chair the AELM. APEC Leaders will discuss how to advance the Asia-Pacific region, through ongoing global economic challenges, towards sustainable and inclusive economic recovery from COVID-19. The Managing-Director of the IMF will also attend the meeting to share her views on the global economic outlook.
APEC Leaders will also meet with Guests and the business sector in APEC represented by the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). Thailand, as this year’s host economy, has invited Guests, namely the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia as the Chair of ASEAN, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the President of the French Republic, to discuss how APEC and its trading partners can work together to promote sustainable trade and investment amidst on-going economic challenges. Two important activities involving APEC business leaders and youth will be organised, in parallel with the AELW, including the APEC CEO Summit on November 16-18 and the APEC Voices of the Future 2022 on November 12-19.
On the occasion of the AELW in Bangkok this year, Their Majesties King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana of Thailand will graciously grant an audience to all APEC leaders or their representatives attending the AELM, as well as the Guests.
