APEC Ministers press for developing human resources, promoting employment and realizing inclusive growth
Beijing, China, 17 September 2010 - Facing unprecedented joblessness over the past two years, Ministers from APEC member economies convened on Thursday in Beijing to discuss how to address severe global employment challenges, which were brought about by the global financial crisis. Seeking innovative approaches to emerge from the crisis, APEC Ministers shared how their economies implemented inclusive measures to ensure high quality growth across the region.
During the plenary session, Ministers recognized the active role for social protection and emphasized the need to integrate measures to accelerate job creation and employment-oriented growth. Ministers also discussed recommendations to support policies that lead to flexible and responsive education and skills development.
China's Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, Mr. Yin Weimin, recognized that the recent economic crisis demonstrated how closely connected APEC economies are to each other. He said that the economies have reached a broad consensus on the need to promote economic transformation.
"We should stick to employment-oriented macroeconomic policies so as to achieve both economic recovery and growth and employment recovery and expansion," said Minister Yin at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday morning when he proposed various measures that APEC could take to strengthen cooperation to address challenges to the region's economic and social development.
"In order to promote employment, we should provide vocational skills training access to all workers, upgrade the quality and skill of workers so as to prepare the qualified labor force for economic growth and structure transformation," he explained. "Efforts should be made to improve the social security system, safeguard the rights and interests of workers, in particular the vulnerable group, and support their self-development and enhancement."
On Thursday afternoon, APEC member economies shared the policy measures they took during the crisis to avert a reversal of progress. They also shared insights and ideas for practical cooperation to help address human resource development issues in the region.
"Social stability through the reduction of poverty and the raising of living standards is essential to the continued development of the Asia-Pacific economies," said Japan's Senior Vice-Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, Ritsuo Hosokawa. "To achieve this, an income security-style safety net is needed to guard against the risks of unemployment and ill health and to prevent poverty." Japan is the host for APEC 2010.
"China is ready to join hands with other members to actively meet the challenge of the crisis, reinforce the existing achievements of cooperation, actively develop human resources, vigorously promote employment, improve the social security system, promote trade and investment liberalization and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, and contribute to the realization of inclusive growth," said Minister Yin who chaired the meeting.
Member economies are expected to release a Joint Ministerial Statement on Friday after they conclude their meeting. The recommendations will be submitted to APEC Economic Leaders when they meet in Yokohama, Japan in November.