President Piñera speaks at APEC, highlighting the importance of international collaboration for overcoming the coronavirus pandemic and enabling the global economy to recover: “We need each country’s contribution as well as collective
During his remarks, the President reaffirmed Chile’s support for carrying out the WTO reforms and spoke in favor of creating a true Free Trade Zone in the Asia-Pacific Region.
President Sebastián Piñera spoke this morning before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), which Malaysia will lead this year under the slogan “Optimizing Human Potential Towards a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity”.
During his presentation, which was delivered via videoconference, the President highlighted the importance of facing the global health and social crisis together.
“The economies must cooperate and also work closely with international organizations, the private sector and civil society,” the President said.
President Piñera stressed the importance of a multilateral trade system when he spoke to the APEC leaders, reaffirming Chile’s support for undertaking the necessary reforms of the World Trade Organization.
In addition, the President said that, “There can be no room for protectionist policies within APEC. There should be no room for trade wars.” He argued in favor of the creation of a true Free Trade Zone in the Asia-Pacific Region.
He also reminded the audience that Chile promised to bring environmental challenges such as climate change and the protection of oceans to APEC, noting that his country will lead the forum’s ocean agenda next year.
He also highlighted the work that Chile led in 2019 to strengthen inclusive trade with a special emphasis on equal opportunities for women.
During his remarks, President Piñera also reviewed the measures that the government has taken to address the health crisis, mentioning the reopening process and the recovery of nearly one-third of the jobs lost during the pandemic.
“Our top priority has always been to protect the life and health of our people. But we must also protect their means of subsistence and the quality of life of present and future generations,” he said.