SAN FRANCISCO – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to talk among others, on the Malaysian Madani economic concept as he leads the Malaysian delegation into the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) scheduled here from November 14 to 17.
Anwar will deliver his views on several sessions at the summit, where he is expected to highlight the importance of regional collaboration and development of economic resilience in the work to realise the Madani Economic Framework and National Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030).
According to Investment Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, this will be Anwar’s inaugural appearance at the APEC summit and he has been scheduled to deliver his speeches during during the AELM, one of which will be during the APEC CEO Summit on November 15.
“He is expected to deliver his views on the global economy and the state of the world during the second session of the CEO summit.
“Anwar will be sharing his views on economic issues and the discussion on the latest in the Malaysia Madani economic concept,” said Zafrul at a briefing on the AELM here.
Anwar will be also accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Dato Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, several Malaysian MPs and senior government officials.
He has been scheduled to arrive in San Francisco on November 13.
This is the United States’ third time hosting the APEC after 1993 in Blake Island and 2011 in Honolulu.
US president Joe Biden will chair the AELM and is expected to lead in-depth discussions with APEC Leaders on topics centred around strengthening economic ties; enhancing inclusivity and sustainability; and bolstering economic resilience and complexity.
This is in line with the theme of APEC 2023, Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.
“During these sessions, Anwar and other APEC leaders will also have an informal dialogue and working lunch, along with guest nations Colombia, Fiji and India, on sustainability, climate and energy transition,” said Zafrul.
Anwar will also be attending the APEC Business Advisory Council Dialogue and the Second Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Meeting that will also be chaired by Biden.
IPEF is an economic framework launched by Biden earlier this year and will be attended by, among others, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Together, the countries represent 40% of world GDP.
Zafrul added Anwar will also be heading to the University of California in Berkeley and provide a public lecture titled Superpower Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia-Pacific – The View from Southeast Asia.
Other than that, Anwar will also be attending a dinner organised by the National Centre for APEC, where over 10 American CEOs will be present at the event, he said.
“Anwar will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders from Canada, Peru, Vietnam, among others,” he said.
He said Anwar will also be meeting with several potential investors, namely Google, Microsoft, TikTok and several other companies.
An exchange of agreement between BlackBerry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on cybersecurity cooperation is also expected during the summit, Zafrul said.
“There would be likely investments for Malaysia on data centres and several others, which will be announced by the prime minister after his meeting with the tech giants,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambry and Zafrul also had their work cut out for them during the summit.
Both ministers will be leading the Malaysian delegation attending the 34th APEC ministerial meeting 14 to 15.
Zafrul said the meeting will be held in two sessions: one titled Enabling an Innovative Environment for a Sustainable Future and Affirming an Equitable and Inclusive Future For All; the other, Building a Resilient and Interconnected Region that Advances broad-based Economic Prosperity.
“Zambry and myself will share how Malaysia is an open nation, focusing on integration at the regional level and APEC members,” he said.
Zafrul said the foreign minister is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Mexico, Chile and Republic of Korea, while Zafrul himself will also be attending the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Meeting, which will also be held during the APEC summit.
Meanwhile, the 30th AELM is expected to adopt the APEC Leaders’ 2023 Golden Gate Declaration, and advance efforts reflecting APEC economies’ commitment to addressing global challenges towards realising the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040.
The adoption of the Golden Gate Declaration is imperative, as it underscores the unity and cooperation among APEC economies, particularly in light of ongoing concerns relating to, among others, the climate crisis and disruption of supply chains. – The Vibes, November 12, 2023