Malaysia calls for stronger collaborative efforts towards economic recovery at AELW 2021
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama)– Malaysia is calling for stronger collaborative efforts among Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies in espousing sustainable and inclusive recovery to ensure a future-ready region at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) 2021.
The Malaysian delegation is scheduled to attend the virtual AELW, starting today until Nov 12, 2021, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) said in a statement.
The ministry said as the spotlight of post-recovery efforts tends to concentrate on the economic and health forefront, Malaysia will also share its views on the importance of expediting the adoption of digitalisation, innovation and sustainability to create more opportunities for the APEC community.
With economic recovery efforts as the overarching theme for APEC this year, this call to action is key for the region to realise the aspiration of achieving an inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous region for all, underscoring the Putrajaya Vision 2040 on shared prosperity that was adopted last year.
“With the view to accelerate regional recovery, Malaysia will be emphasising our unwavering commitment and solidarity to rebuild the region with vigorous and unrelenting efforts in pursuing economic recovery and safeguarding the public health of our people,” MITI said.
It said this year’s AELW will be the second virtual event after Malaysia’s successful APEC chairmanship last year.
The AELW serves as a declamatory avenue for APEC Ministers to exchange their views and perspectives on the current and future topics in APEC while steering APEC Senior Officials to continue working towards the betterment of the region — socially and economically.
The AELW will commence with the convening of the APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM).
Senior Minister cum International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, together with Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, will jointly head the Malaysian delegation at the AMM, which will consist of two sessions.
“In these sessions, the ministers are scheduled to deliberate on how best trade could accelerate economic recovery, as well as best efforts towards attaining economic and technical cooperation for a sustainable future,” MITI said.
New Zealand, as the Chair of APEC this year, will be organising the two-day virtual AMM for Ministers to undertake deeper deliberation on these topics.
With the participation of APEC trade ministers and foreign ministers across eight time zones, the AMM will be set as a preceding meeting to the pinnacle APEC meeting of the year, the AELM, scheduled on Nov 12. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will be leading Malaysia at the AELM.
At the end of the AMM, the ministers are expected to adopt the 32nd APEC Ministerial Meeting Joint Ministerial Statement 2021.
The statement will pave the way for regional recovery efforts in line with the priorities set by New Zealand as the APEC host for 2021 with the overarching theme of recovery via agile and robust economic and trade policies, increasing inclusion and sustainability, and enhancing innovation and digitalisation, MITI said.
— BERNAMA
