By JAKE C. SORIANO
ASIA Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders, at the end of their two-day summit in Manila today, condemned acts of terrorism and vowed not to be intimated by the waves of attacks that rocked the world the last few days.
“Under the shadow cast by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and against Russian aircraft over the Sinai, and elsewhere, we strongly condemn all acts, methods, and practices of terrorism in all their forms and manifestations,” the APEC Economic Leaders Declaration read.
“We will not allow terrorism to threaten the fundamental values that underpin our free and open economies,” they said.
President Benigno Aquino III opened the 23rd AELM at the Philippine International Convention Center Wednesday with a prayer for all the victims of the Paris and other terrorist attacks, Taiwan Representative to the meeting Vincent C. Siew said.
Just days before the meeting, a coordinated series of bombings and shootings rocked the French capital Paris, leaving dead more than 120 people and injuring about 200.
Twin suicide bombings in Beirut in Lebanon meanwhile killed more than 40 people.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for both attacks.
Also earlier this month, a Russian charter jet en route to St. Petersburg in Russia from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt crashed after take off, killing all of its more than 200 passengers on board. The Russian government said the plane was downed by a bomb.
APEC leaders welcomed efforts by members to fight terrorism, from combatting financing to preventing terrorist fighter travel, and encouraged member economies to “continue taking collective and individual actions and sharing best practices to secure infrastructure, travel, supply chains, and financial systems from terrorist activities.”
“Economic growth, prosperity, and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization,” APEC leaders said in their declaration, further stressing “the urgent need for increased international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.”\
The declaration, underscoring theme “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World,” touched on a range of issues from climate change and disaster resilience to the participation in the global economy of low-income groups, women and persons with disabilities.
APEC leaders reiterated their commitments on, among others:
CLIMATE CHANGE: reaffirm goals to reduce by 2035 aggregate energy intensity by 45%; double renewable energy in the regional energy mix by 2030; rationalize and phase out over the medium term inefficient fossil fuel subsidies
CORRUPTION: cooperate in repatriation and extradition of corrupt officials; asset recovery; criminalization
ENVIRONMENT: increase forest cover in the region by at least 20 million hectares by 2020; combat wildlife trafficking
FOOD SECURITY: increase safety of food supply in the region; promote sustainable agriculture; increase access to food through better connectivity between urban, rural and remote areas
HEALTH: address waste management and water-related challenges, strengthen control of infectious diseases; ensure safety of blood supply
MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMEs): address policies that hinder the participation of MSMEs in global value chains; work on improving digital connectivity
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: encourage further collaboration to promote economic empowerment and inclusive growth
WOMEN: strengthen efforts to mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment across APEC’s work streams
Aquino, speaking to members of the media the afternoon of November 19, said he is proud as host to have continued APEC’s successes.
He said that the Philippines has taken its partnerships with other economies to a new level, highlighting deals with Mexico to combat drug trafficking, as well as agreements with Australia and Vietnam. (See PH, Vietnam to hold naval drills, scientific research in South China Sea)
“Our cooperation [in APEC] gives us optimism that we will be making progress sooner rather than later,” Aquino said.
The next AELM will be in Peru.
Read the full text of the 2015 APEC Leaders Declaration here.
