O’Neill extends APEC invitation to Fiji

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has extended an invitation to Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, to attend the APEC Summit in November.

He said he intends to make the APEC Summit lean towards the Pacific way, as it is an enormous trade and investment area – and needs to make much better linkages between APEC and Pacific Island nations.

O’Neill, when addressing the Fiji Parliament on Monday, stressed that it is very important for Pacific island nations to embrace each other in such big events as APEC.

He said APEC will be more relaxed than in previous years, and have an agenda of real relevance to developing economies.

He added that as a forum – APEC offers a great deal to its members, particularly developing economies through a number of capacity building programs and initiatives.

Importantly, APEC 2018 in Papua New Guinea is about ensuring that no one is left behind. The PM said as our region experiences growth, we ensure that growth is inclusive.

More than 9,000 government officials and business leaders will be in Port Moresby during the APEC Leaders’ Week in November.

PM O’Neill said in keeping with our commitment to deliver a truly Pacific APEC – he is inviting the Leaders of all Pacific Islands Forum members to attend APEC.

He said we must show our APEC members – from Russia in the west to Mexico in the East – that the Pacific has a lot to offer.

Author: 
Freddy Mou