APEC 30th Leaders Meeting

The 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, hosted by the United States (US) and held in San Francisco from November 16 to 17, served as a critical platform for global leaders to deliberate on crucial economic and sustainable development matters. The leaders’ meeting stands as the centerpiece of the APEC Leaders’ Week held from November 11 to 17, focusing on the theme of ‘Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.’

The meeting brought together the political and business leaders of 21 APEC members, representing about 62% of global GDP and nearly half of international trade, APEC operates on the principles of non-binding commitments and consensus-driven decisions, emphasizing the voluntary participation among its diverse members.

The meeting was strategically focused on sustainability, climate issues, energy transition, and the imperative of creating inclusive economies. The leaders' informal dialogue and working lunch on the initial day laid significant emphasis on these critical subjects. The event completed with the adoption of the Golden Gate Declaration, a testament to the leaders' commitment to fostering a resilient and sustainable future. This document reaffirms their dedication to establishing a trade and investment environment that is free, open, fair, transparent, non-discriminatory, inclusive, and predictable.

The discussions held and the Golden Gate Declaration adopted illustrate the commitment of these nations towards building a more resilient and sustainable future for all. The US concluded its APEC hosting responsibilities for the year, and passed over to Peru to take over as the host for APEC in 2024.