APEC senior officials' meeting focuses on common interests, aspirations

BANGKOK -- Senior officials from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) wrapped up a two-day meeting here Wednesday with a focus on common interests and aspirations to advance cooperation for the prosperity of all.

During the Concluding APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM), senior officials discussed issues under APEC 2022's theme "Open, Connect, Balance," with highlights including the latest status of the draft of Bangkok Goals on the bio-circular-green (BCG) economy and the multi-year work plan on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), Thani Thongphakdi, APEC 2022 SOM chair, told a press conference.

The Bangkok Goals cover climate change mitigation, sustainable trade and investment, environmental conservation and waste management, he said, adding that these goals will be implemented through a conducive regulatory framework, capacity building, facility and quality infrastructure, as well as a global network.

The FTAAP multi-year work plan, one of the key deliverables of Thailand's APEC host year, will help drive the region towards more sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and long-term resilience against future pandemics and other disruptions, Thani said.

This year has witnessed three SOMs in February, May and August, respectively, and November's meeting is the last one of this year's SOM series.