Op-Ed Contributors

Advancing human resources

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-20 08:02

Promote economic and technical cooperation in the field of human resources development among APEC economies

19. We stress the importance of strengthening our cooperation, exchanges and experience sharing to advance the APEC growth agenda, particularly inclusive growth. The crisis has shown us the significance of policy coordination, sharing experience and learning from each other. We agree to convene a Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting once every four years for high-level policy dialogue and encourage intensifying exchanges and cooperation among officials, experts, social partners and other stakeholders.

20. We call for strengthened economic and technical cooperation (ECOTECH) in the field of human resources development across APEC forums and economies. We welcome and support member economies to increase input and undertake initiatives in HRD ECOTECH activities, particularly those that support to build the capacity of developing members to achieve inclusive growth. Therefore, we support China's initiative to implement the APEC Skills Development Promotion Project and look forward to the subsequent establishment of an APEC Skills Development Promotion Centre (China), an effort to link similar centers in economies.

21. We recognize that achieving inclusive growth calls for more enhanced cooperation, including among international and regional organizations, as the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the regional development banks.

22. We will report this Joint Statement to the 22nd APEC Ministerial Meeting and the 18th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Japan in November 2010, and we call upon the Ministers and Leaders to confirm and endorse our recommendations.

23. We express our deep gratitude for all arrangements, hospitality and efforts made by the People's Republic of China for the success of the meeting.

(China Daily 09/20/2010 page8)