The 21-member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have since progressed meetings on issues concerning the Asia and Pacific regions this week.

Papua New Guinea’s participation in the two-day APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) prior to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW), highlighted issues concerning not only PNG, but the rest of the Pacific Island nations.

State Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko presented issues of the Pacific region, which included fisheries, agriculture, increase in women populations with untapped economic potential, Small & Medium Enterprises (SME), Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), protection of intellectual properties and indigenous owned businesses.

While the APEC meeting progressed, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Labour & Employment, Hon. Kessy Sawang met with the Chinese Vice Minister for International Trade, Hon. Wang Shouwen on Tuesday (14/11/23) and discussed matters on trade of both economies.

Minister Sawang stepped in to represent Minister for Trade, Hon. Richard Maru in the bilateral meeting.

On the evening of Tuesday, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and wife Mrs Rachael Marape arrived and were received at the San Francisco International Airport.

On Wednesday (15 November – US Local Time), Prime Minister Marape met with members of the American business community, which included US Chamber of Commerce, CORA Global Project, Renew West, ExxonMobil, Source Global, and US International Development Finance Corporation on the margins of APEC Leaders Summit. In the evening, the Prime Minister and Mrs Marape joined fellow leaders and their spouses, and selected guests for the Welcome Reception at the Exploratorium Pier 15.

At the reception, Prime Minister Marape was warmly welcomed by US Vice President, Hon. Kalama Harris.

President of United States of America and Chairman of APEC 2023,  Hon. Joe Biden welcomed all economy leaders and guests to San Francisco.

On Thursday 16 November, Prime Minister Marape met with leaders of Fiji and Indonesia in a trilateral meeting before attending the APEC Family Photo session.

Following the session, the Prime Minister attended the APEC Economic Leaders’ Informal Dialogue and Working Lunch with guests.

At 3pm Thursday (local US time), the Prime Minister had a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, before attending the opening of ABAC Dialogue with the APEC Economic Leaders.

In the evening of Thursday, Prime Minister Marape and Mrs Marape attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Dinner at the Legion of Honour, an Art Museum in San Francisco City.