Andina

FA Min: Over 7,600 delegates participated in APEC Peru 2024 meetings

Photo: ANDINA/ Connie Calderon

Photo: ANDINA/ Connie Calderon

13:37 | Lima, Oct. 30.

More than 7,600 delegates participated in the 270 preparatory meetings held during Peru's presidency of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum 2024, Foreign Affairs Minister Elmer Schialer reported on Wednesday.

For the Economic Leaders' Week –set to take place from November 9 to 16– the arrival of 5,000 delegates and 1,200 journalists is expected, Schialer told Andina News Agency.

"It is a significant organizational effort that we have made. We are not new to this; this is the third time that Peru has had the honor of hosting APEC, and this time we have done it with the objective of making APEC something very close to citizens, to the people, to entrepreneurs, and to women through 'APEC for the People,'" he noted.

The ambassador said that meetings of senior officials, ministers, and deputy ministers from the 21 APEC economies were successfully held throughout this year in five Peruvian regions and had the support from all sectors of national and regional governments.

In this regard, the diplomat expressed his gratitude to the Foreign Affairs Ministry's team in charge of organizing APEC Peru 2024 for their organization and coordination of the negotiations.

"We have a team that is not very large —fewer than 90 people at the Foreign Affairs Ministry— who are in charge of addressing the APEC 2024 topics, both at an organizational level, as well as in the sphere of negotiation and diplomacy. Thank you very much; everything has been an absolute success," he said.

Minister Schialer commented that, regarding the organization, there were no incidents at any of the five venues where APEC Peru 2024 meetings were held.

As for the negotiations, he said that consensus was reestablished in the approval of statements -something that had not been seen for several years due to global tensions involving the major powers.

"Peru has achieved this through a series of activities, such as the statements on the economy, trade and women, finance and microfinance, mining, etc., which had not always been approved by consensus," Schialer indicated.

"We hope that the Leaders' Statement will also be approved by consensus," he added.

The high-ranking official said he was very pleased because the Foreign Affairs Ministry was living up to the standards of what it means to be Peruvians: members of a great country.

The diplomat mentioned that the decision to hold APEC in Peru was made in 2022 and has been upheld, which "represents a recognition not only of the legitimacy of President Dina Boluarte's government but also of Peru's economic and commercial power."

Minister Schialer reminded citizens that, within the framework of APEC, five official visits and two state visits will take place in Lima.

He added that the presidents of Peru and China will inaugurate the Chancay Megaport.

Peru is hosting APEC for the third time after the 2008 and 2016 editions.

(END) FHG/CVC/MVB

Published: 10/30/2024