23 Papua New Guineans have been appointed to either chair, co-chair, or vice-chair several lead up meetings to the APEC Summit.
The individuals were announced by Chief Secretary, Isaac Lupari, flanked by Senior Official Meeting (SOM) Chair, Ivan Pomaleu, and PNG 2018 APEC Authority CEO, Chris Hawkins.
Lupari said it was a historic moment for PNG who will be leading discussions in any of the APEC meetings.
The 23 individuals contain a mix of young and experienced public servants who will be chairing or co-chairing many of the lead up meetings to November 2018.
Chief Secretary, Isaac Lupari, said it was a momentous occasion for PNG to be part of leading the discussion in many of the APEC discussions.
Some of the meetings to be chaired by PNG will be held in the SOM 1 meeting which begins this weekend.
Meantime SOM Chair, Ivan Pomaleu, says PNG I ready to host the SOM 1 meeting.
Chris Hawkins said the meeting will bring in much needed injection of FOREX in the economy.
Over 1,500 delegates are expected to attend the SOM 1 Chair in 78 meetings over the next two weeks.