Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

PNG Youths Voice For Change

New Zealand’s hosting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Voices of the Future 2021, presented young people the opportunity to hear and learn from experts and peers around the region, while also putting their unique perspective in in front of APEC Leaders.

Under the theme, “Join, Work, Grow Together” was attended virtually by APEC delegates from all APEC economies. APEC Voices of the Future is an annual youth event that brings together young people from across the APEC region to discuss the big issues and have their voices heard.

Luxury sedans raise concerns

The pricing of the Maserati Quattroporte sedans start from US$209,990 (K683,000), according to the car manufacturer.

The Italian model vehicles arrived in the country last weekend.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit leaders week is approximately a month away and the preparation is well underway to host the 21 economy leaders in Port Moresby.

However, numerous concerns have been raised with regard to the huge amount of funds spent by the Government on preparations alone.

World leaders to dine on traditional PNG cuisine

The food, cooked in a three-metre earth oven, styled on a traditional mumu, will be served to hundreds of dignitaries from 21 countries attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Port Moresby later this year.

APEC is an economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific region.

Around 50 local chefs and 100 wait staff will work around the clock to prepare meals under the direction of Hilton Port Moresby executive chef, Paul Brown.

NEC to discuss APEC public holidays

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Hawkins, when updating Port Moresby Business houses, made these remarks recently.

Amongst the hectic schedule of the Summit, there will be several periods in November where movement will be restricted due to high level security movements of leaders and delegations while the 21 economy leaders are attending the APEC Leaders’ Summit.

The days of high activity are from the 15th to 18th November, with 15th and 16th November being considered as public holidays. 

APEC’s ICT Meeting commences

Senior Officials’ Meeting Chair, Ivan Pomaleu, when welcoming delegates to the meeting said ICT is a critical tool in socio-economic development and is necessary for sustainable development in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Goals.

Pomaleu reminded the leaders that in last year’s APEC leaders’ Summit – hosted by Vietnam – the leaders made certain ‘declarations’ that recognise the need for ICT in enhancing ‘Quality Human Resources Development’ as well as advancing ‘Free and Open Trade Investment’.

Second Senior Officials’ Meeting underway

SOM chair Ivan Pomaleu, in his opening remarks, welcomed all delegates to the meeting and urged them to fully participate in the discussions.

The meeting will look at initiatives that promote robust economies through proper and sustainable management of resources, including forest and marine and planning preparedness strategies for disasters, diseases and terrorism.

The two-day event will end tomorrow, May 24.

Meanwhile, four sectoral meetings for Trade, Tourism, Telecommunication and Finance headed by respective ministerial leaders will follow straight after SOM2.

SOM2 meeting underway

SOM Chairman Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu, in his keynote address at the opening of the APEC Study Centre Consortium Conference, said there are emerging digital issues that PNG hopes to take forward in 2018 that is going to help the country solve some of its own connectivity challenge.

Pomaleu said innovation and block chain technology is highly relevant and potentially huge in the APEC economies.

TB concerns for hotel staff, guests

Over 200 staff from various hotels joined the Businesses for Health: Tuberculosis Project, in a town hall national effort to reduce the impact of TB in private sector workplaces.

This workshop meeting was kicked off with icebreakers consisting of TB learning games with B4H: TB.

Participants were asked trivia questions about they would react if they a colleague had TB, is it safe working alongside someone with latent TB?, the rights of staff living with HIV being protected? And of HIV the same as TB when it comes to treatment?

APEC delegates land at EHP

Welcomed by Governor Peter Numu and his administration, the delegates were treated to a variety of unique and colorful traditional singsing.

Whilst at the new terminal, the delegates were also given a chance to taste the famous Goroka coffee.

The trip was to enable delegates to gain a better understanding of Papua New Guinea and its people and culture.

The delegates will also visit coffee farmers and other SMEs.

More to come…

U.S. Ambassador hosts APEC opening gala

This was to demonstrate the United States’ strong commitment to support PNG in hosting a successful series of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.

More than 3,000 representatives from the 21 member economies of APEC are expected to attend the first Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) of 2018 and related working group meetings from February 24 to March 10.