The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020 Economic Leaders' Meeting via video conferencing tonight (November 20), where she exchanged views with leaders of the other economies on fighting against COVID-19, boosting the economic recovery and promoting sustainable and inclusive development.
      
     The theme of APEC this year is "Optimising Human Potential towards a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity: Pivot. Prioritise. Progress". Owing to the epidemic situation, this was the first virtual Economic Leaders' Meeting that has been held. It was hosted by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Chair of APEC 2020, Mr Muhyiddin Yassin. Mrs Lam and leaders of the other economies were first briefed by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Ms Kristalina Georgieva, on the global economic outlook after which followed the meeting.
      
     Noting in her remarks that COVID-19 has brought about unprecedented challenges to the world, Mrs Lam said that it is the duty of various economies to resolutely direct the fight against the virus and that in doing so, the decisions must be based on science and the interests of the people, rather than political considerations. She said that the disadvantaged are the ones who often suffer the most in difficult times and that governments should pay special attention to their needs. Pointing out that Hong Kong has operated in an open and transparent manner throughout the pandemic with the extensive use of innovative technology and continuous enhancement of virus testing, she said the results have been largely successful to date. Given the volatile development of the epidemic, the city has to stay vigilant, she said. 
      
     Mrs Lam stressed that reviving the economy calls for co-operation among economies and that they must stand firm against unilateralism and protectionism. She congratulated the 15 member economies on the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which is a testament to free trade and regional co-operation. She said that as a separate customs territory and a member of the World Trade Organization, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region supports the principles of the Agreement. She expressed the hope that Hong Kong can join the Agreement early and appealed for the support of member economies.
      
     Mrs Lam and leaders of the other economies launched the Putrajaya Vision 2040. Noting that APEC's long-standing commitment to a rule-based, multilateral trading system fully reflects Hong Kong's belief in strong, sustainable and inclusive growth, she said she hopes that various economies would work collectively to embrace the Vision on the path to recovery.
     

Ends/Friday, November 20, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:17

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