APEC 2005 Priorities Highlighted by Korean Foreign Minister
The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Ban Ki-Moon, has outlined the priorities and theme of the 2005 APEC Year hosted by Korea.
Speaking recently to the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Santiago, Chile, Minister Ban said the APEC Korea 2005 theme of 'Towards One Community: Meet the Challenge and Make the Change,' will advance the achievements of previous APEC years. This he said would contribute to ongoing progress intended "to build one economic community in the Asia-Pacific region."
"The Korea 2005 APEC theme summarizes the strenuous will of APEC Member Economies to achieve the vision we have set for ourselves," Minister Ban said.
Particular attention will be focused on a series of themes during the Korea year that include renewing APEC's Commitment to the Bogor Goals of free trade and investment in the APEC Region by 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies.
"The 2005 Year will see APEC review its progress towards the Bogor Goals and, hopefully, identify a series of roadmaps as a result of the review," Minister Ban said.
"Exploring how to incorporate such findings into APEC's future work plan will be one of the most important elements of mid and long term APEC reform."
The 2005 APEC year will also give a high level of attention to ensuring a transparent and secure business environment and build bridges over differences in the region.
"APEC will redouble its efforts in fighting for a clean and safe economic environment in the Asia Pacific region," Minister Ban said.
"APEC Members will act in unity to strenuously fight corruption and terrorism to secure a safe trade environment throughout the region. These efforts will be based on APEC's firm belief that a safe environment will provide direct benefits to businesspeople by lowering transaction costs.
"In 2005 APEC members will also discuss ways to facilitate community building through a wide spectrum of activities to highlight both economic development and cultural diversity.
"Economic and technical co-operation with emphasis on mutual cooperation in capacity building efforts will be key to achieving our common prosperity. We may need to explore further facilitation in understanding each other beyond economic areas such as culture. This approach will eventually lower trade barriers by dismantling psychological or emotional barriers."
Other priorities for the year include ongoing APEC support for current WTO negotiations, as well as initiatives to enhance human security, share in the prosperity of the knowledge-based economy and build a better business environment for small and micro enterprises.