to foster a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Speaking at the
APEC CEO Summit in Lima on Friday, B
linken praised the forum for prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity while challenging member economies to expand opportunities for their populations.
"Not only because it's the right thing to do, but because our region, our economies are stronger and they are more stable when we unlock the potential of all of our people," he said during his address at the Grand National Theater of Lima.
The diplomat underscored APEC's critical role in shaping a prosperous, equitable, and resilient future, stating that the forum's commitment and leadership will determine whether these goals are achievable.
Highlighting progress under the
Biden administration,
Blinken pointed to U.S. efforts in leading the global energy transition, enhancing infrastructure, boosting technology investment, and revitalizing domestic manufacturing and research.
"At the same time, around the world, we reimagined, we re-energized, we revitalized, we strengthened, and we wove together our alliances and partnerships in new ways to try to advance an increasingly shared vision for a future that is more free, more open, more secure, more prosperous, more resilient, more connected," he stated.
The State Secretary highlighted agreements with economies in Asia and Latin America and the United States' increasing engagement with APEC.
Blinken noted last year's summit, hosted by the U.S., which prioritized initiatives like increasing women's participation in the global economy.
Achieving global economic equality could inject more than US$28 trillion into the economy, he said.
He also discussed the United States' role in fostering a sustainable technological ecosystem, citing investments in Viet Nam, Japan, Australia, and Mexico.
"We've also demonstrated that promoting prosperity and protecting our environment can go hand in hand," he noted.
According to Blinken, APEC members have invested US$1.7 trillion in the United States, particularly in sectors like electricity, supporting or creating 2.3 million jobs.
He described foreign direct investment as "the best measure of trust and confidence in the future," stressing that businesses will only invest where they feel confident in stability and opportunity.
Using Peru as an example, he noted that bilateral trade between the U.S. and Peru has grown by 130% since their Free Trade Agreement signed in 2009.
More than 1,000 small and medium-sized Peruvian exporters now sell products to the U.S., contributing to the creation of one million jobs.
Blinken concluded by inviting APEC members to collaborate, invest in each other, and share ideas to build a brighter, more inclusive future for the region's people.
21 leading economies
APEC is made up of:
Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States, and Viet Nam.
Together, they account for 62% of world's GDP, 48% of global trade in goods and services, plus 38% of the planet's population.
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