The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Summit closed on Friday, affirming determination to create better environment for the region's development.
Under the theme of "Strengthening our community, building a sustainable future," APEC business and economic leaders discussed matters challenging the region's economic growth, and voiced ideas for the stability and prosperity.
They focused the topics on the region's future challenges and opportunities, the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, energy, climate change and growth, and human capital and the economic future.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President George W. Bush, among a number of leaders, addressed the meeting.
Hu put forward a five-point proposal, calling for the promotion of balanced world economic growth, the establishment of a sound multilateral trading regime, ensuring stable energy supply, the maintenance of a sound natural environment, and the advancement in science, technology and education.
Bush suggested more opening of market and further expansion of trade and investment, while committing to flexibility for the conclusion of a successful Doha Round of WTO.
The leaders said the successful end of the Doha Round would produce benefit to all. They showed the willingness to take active measures to help the WTO get an early conclusion of the talks.
They realized that energy security and climate change have emerged as two key and related challenges to maintaining regional economic growth and prosperity. As the APEC region is the world's largest consumer of energy, reliable access to affordable supplies of both resources and fuel are already high in many economies in the region.
They also showed the concern over the environmental impacts of unconstrained greenhouse gas emissions, holding that maintaining economic growth while reducing carbon emissions will be the key challenge for the region and the world in the 21st century.
The APE Business Summit is a sideline event of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. The event usually also draws presence of some of the leaders of the APEC member economies. It thus provides opportunities for business leaders in the region to hear presentations from and to engage in discussions with APEC economic leaders, policy makers, academia on the most critical economic and business issues facing the region.
Australia is hosting the 2007 APEC Leaders Week on Sept. 2-9. The APEC Leaders Meeting will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article