President Moon: "Some Countries and Groups Suffer More from COVID-19"

Attended 2021 APEC Virtual Summit... "Committed to a Growing Together APEC"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 12th at the '2021 APEC Virtual Leaders' Meeting' that "While the global economy is showing signs of recovery, there are countries and groups that have been more severely impacted by COVID-19."

Park Kyung-mi, spokesperson for the Blue House, explained in a written briefing on the 13th, "President Moon attended the ‘2021 APEC Virtual Leaders' Meeting’ held from 8 PM for 2 hours and 45 minutes on the 12th," adding, "(President Moon) shared policy experiences of the ‘Korean New Deal’ and expressed his commitment to striving for a growing APEC together."

In his remarks at the leaders' meeting, President Moon emphasized active cooperation to restore daily life and the restoration of an open and fair trade order.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Park explained, "As a founding member of APEC and a leading country on key agendas, Korea presented various economic policy directions to drive economic recovery in the Asia-Pacific region."

She added, "Leaders from China, Japan, Russia, the United States, and other participating countries explained their efforts to expand investments and policies to address climate change, highlighting the need for cooperation at the APEC level."

Spokesperson Park further stated, "They urged taking concrete actions building on the momentum of COP26 outcomes and emphasized Asia-Pacific cooperation for a fair trade and investment environment and supply chain recovery."

APEC leaders proposed facilitating cross-border movement and revitalizing the tourism industry by expanding mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccinations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the meeting began with an opening address and agenda adoption by New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern, the chair country. In the first session, IMF Managing Director Georgieva presented the ‘World Economic Outlook,’ followed by speeches from APEC leaders in the second session.

APEC leaders attended the meeting wearing traditional Maori shawls symbolizing solidarity, meaning ‘binding people together,’ and pendants representing ‘new hope and beginnings’.

Spokesperson Park said, "At the end of the meeting, New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern handed over the chairmanship to Thai Prime Minister Prayut, the next chair country, who expressed his intention to hold next year’s APEC meeting in person."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.