Apec 2015 senior officials meet kicks off in Clark

Senior Officials of the 21-member countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation pose for a formal picture during the opening of the First Senior Officials’ Meeting in Clark, Pampanga. Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net

CLARK, Philippines— The first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) 2015 Senior Officials’ meeting formally kicked off Friday at the Fontana Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga.

Senior officials of the 21-member economies are attending the two-day formal meeting to discuss challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and lay down policies to achieve Apec’s goals.

“Today, as Senior Officials, we shall note of all the recommendations made by the working groups as well as consider how to advance initiatives particularly those that crosscut the three Apec committees,” Laura del Rosario, Undersecreatry of the Department of Foreign Affairs said in her welcome address.

Prior to the Senior Officials’ meeting, the various technical groups and committees that report to the Apec senior officials met on January 26 to discuss initiatives, policies and capacity-building that advances Apec’s objectives.

The Apec Senior Officials’ Meeting runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 7 at the Clark and Subic freeport zones.

Apec has 21 member economies, namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.

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