Apec To Cooperate Against Terrorism

“As a founding member of Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), the Philippines’ approach to Apec has always been guided by our common aspiration for Asia-Pacific prosperity”, Mr. Aquino said in his welcome remarks at the opening of the 23rd Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM).

The country hosted the APEC Summit for the second time this year but held it in Metro Manila on November 18 and 19, with over 10,000 global delegates including the 21 high level officials in attendance.

The Philippines also made progress in stimulating green growth in the country, improving market access for environmental goods by reducing the tariff rates of 54 environmental goods to 5 percent or less.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said although Apec is primarily focused on economic matters, leaders at the Apec Summit which ends today acknowledged that terrorism not only affects security but can also paralyse economies.

Park, U.S. President Barack Obama and leaders around the world are scheduled to meet in Paris later this month to try to produce a new legally binding deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions that scientists say are to blame for global warming. He and his Philippine counterpart Benigno Aquino agreed Wednesday on “the need for bold steps to lower tensions including pledging to halt further reclamation, new construction and militarization of disputed areas in the South China Sea”, Obama said.

A draft joint communiqué seen by The Wall Street Journal avoided mention of the South China Sea disputes-which pit China against Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam-and pushed for greater regional integration to tackle economic and security threats.

The APEC bloc groups the United States and China with middle powers such as Australia as well as developing nations in Asia and South America.

Trudeau said he wanted to “reassure Canadians and others that we are serious about meeting our emissions reductions targets”.

Still, the 21 APEC members including China have said that the TPP is the basis for realizing the FTAAP.

But the TPP faces stiff opposition from both Democrats and Republicans over farm tariffs and protection for pharmaceuticals, and is unlikely to be voted on by the US Congress before Mr Obama leaves office. “But we are confident that it is going to get done and we are going to be able to implement effectively the provisions and the ideas that have come forward during the course of these discussions”, said Obama.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a free trade pact signed by 12 Pacific Rim economies including Japan, but neither South Korea nor China.

Beijing is careful about “not sending the wrong message to the people in China” about what it is going to do with the TPP, according to a negotiating source.

He said it was this idea that prompted the Philippines to choose the theme: Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World, “which represents our vision for an Asia-Pacific that embraces a growth agenda that benefits everyone”.

APEC leaders took a historic step previous year by launching the process to set up the trade area.

Obama said the two countries would soon be signatories to the TPP, which still must be approved by each country.