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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has opened the Apec CEODialogues virtual conference with a call to Asia-Pacific countries to focus on “building back better” on the economic recovery from Covid-19.
“No economy will escape the continuing effects of the global pandemic,” Ardern said in a videoconference with Microsoft president Brad Smith.
“The world economy is forecast to contract 4.5% this year, and will barely recover to 2019 levels next year,” he said.
“For the first time in decades, we are witnessing major setbacks in the fight against poverty, and 90 million people worldwide are projected to fall below the poverty line.”
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He said that all Apec leaders would hold a virtual meeting tonight focused on fighting the pandemic and rebuilding their economies.
The leaders’ meeting is being hosted by Malaysia, but New Zealand will chair the trade organization of 21 member countries, including New Zealand, Australia, China, Russia and the United States.
Apec summits and conferences are generally held in person, but the Covid pandemic has caused Malaysia to opt for virtual meetings.
Ardern expected leaders to agree on a new vision for the region, which has a combined population of 2.9 billion people, at their meeting that begins shortly after midnight.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called on the leaders of the country of Apec to agree on a vision that focuses on sustainable and inclusive growth.
“Choices now on how to recover from the crisis will be critical to our well-being for decades to come,” Ardern said.
He called on the Apec countries not to repeat the mistakes of history and not to fall into protectionism.
The vision he hoped leaders would agree on would focus on sustainable and inclusive growth.
“As we seek to rebuild better after the Covid crisis, most of us in the region are making the decision to invest in infrastructure that not only creates jobs, but also leads us toward decarbonization,” Ardern said.
In New Zealand, that was the transition to 100 percent renewable electricity and the shift of the transportation fleet to cleaner forms of energy like hydrogen and biofuels, he said.
“We also know that the pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on women, indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities.
“We are focusing on ensuring that our recovery is inclusive by focusing on getting those people back to work quickly, and not just any job, but decent and meaningful work.”
Ardern acknowledged that New Zealand had had advantages in the fight against Covid-19.
“Some Apec economies have been more successful against the virus. New Zealand has benefited from some unique advantages that have allowed us to virtually eliminate it and yet that has come at a cost, ”said Ardern.
She described Smith as a “friend from New Zealand” and contributor to the Christchurch Call, whose goal was to end the use of social media platforms to spread hate and extremism.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Microsoft President Brad Smith says New Zealand has been a beacon of hope in its handling of Covid-19.
Smith praised New Zealand’s population of 5 million for their success in coming together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I think all of you have been a ray of hope in a year that has clearly needed it, as you have shown us how we can more successfully handle this pandemic,” Smith said.
The conference had focused on digital commerce and the future of global growth.
It opens under a diplomatic cloud with Australia and New Zealand, as part of the Five Eyes group of countries, after being reprimanded by China after its foreign ministers said a Chinese government resolution that led to the disqualification of four lawmakers. pro-democracy in Hong Kong. it appeared to be “part of a concerted campaign to silence all critical voices.”
