NOVEMBER 13 2021
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says Papua New Guinea may be the smallest Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economy but is well-endowed with natural resources.
He said this on Friday (November 12) night when addressing the 28th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
The meeting, hosted by New Zealand, was held virtually.
“Papua New Guinea, in our small way, commit ourselves to preserving 13 per cent of the world’s rain forests that we have,” PM Marape told APEC leaders.
“And we commit ourselves to preserving 6 per cent of the world’s bio-diversity that we have.”
The Prime Minister appealed to the APEC leaders to know these global assets PNG has in light of climate change and mitigation issues and assist PNG in conservation.
He said most of the APEC economies visited PNG in 2018 when it hosted the meeting.
” You would have realised that we live in the middle of east and west, we live in the middle of north and south,” PM Marape said.
“We are the smallest economy, amidst each and every one of you, but we are a voice – especially advocating for small (Pacific) island nations, the smaller nations, the weaker nations.
” We can be a pointer to you bigger economies on how to link to each and every one, and help humanity.
” This is needed because whatever happens in north affects south, whatever happens in east affects west. We live in one global village and both COVID-19 and climate changes are examples of that.”
PM Marape said APEC’S Putrajaya Vision was correct and in order.
The meeting launched the Putrajaya Vision 2040 implementation plan for future cooperation in the Asia-Pacific at the 28th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
APEC’s new long-term blueprint aims for an “open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations.”
The plan is APEC’s most important deliverable for the year, and a core focus for New Zealand as the host.
“We look forward to supporting whatever comes out in 2021 under (New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden’s leadership,” PM Marape said.
