Saturday, November 25, 2006 Libre: The 14th APEC meet By Mel Libre Seriously Now
World leaders of Asia and the Pacific met in Vietnam for the 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting earlier this month. With US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others, the powerhouse group could have a major impact on the direction of global economy, if it wanted to. But as with any top-level meeting, it was more of the image than it was of substance. As usual the seeming highlight was the session on the official photograph of the leaders in the national attire of the host nation.
Working on the theme “Towards a Dynamic Community for Sustainable Development and Prosperity”, the meeting produced the Ha Noi Declaration aimed at realizing the APEC’s goals of free and open trade and investment.
The six-page document touched on three major issues, namely advancing free trade and investment, enhancing human security and building stronger societies and a more dynamic and harmonious community.
The leaders still have the belief that the Doha Development Agenda will resurrect; but the way it is worded is simply “reaffirmation”, showing the lack of urgency. But then what can you expect when the US has contributed partly to the gap that has widened further. A lame duck president and unpopular at that, George W. Bush would rather deal with the Iraq debacle than earn the ire of protectionist forces in his country. The mention of Regional Trade Agreements/Free Trade Agreements seem brighter, but then it may have more meaning within the Asian region rather those on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. This is one aspect where the Asean Summit can take bold steps, especially that it is acknowledged that the region is experiencing “unprecedented economic developments.”
Terrorism still figured in the document and rightly so - for threats remain as long as there are extremists in our midst and leaders among nations and peoples of differing ideologues, faiths and ways spew out hate words instead of pursuing peace talks. But violence is not the only threat to nations and communities. Pandemics and HIV/AIDS are killing people as well and the APEC leaders agreed to enhance cooperation to achieve “the United Nations declared goal of universal access to comprehensive prevention programs, treatment, care and support by 2010.” The case of protecting the environment through use of cleaner energy gets a little attention by way of commendation of the launch of the APEC Biofuels Task Force.
Finally, the APEC leaders placed a high priority to education and capacity building and the funding for small and medium sized enterprises. They want to promote community linkages to raise better understanding and trust among the member nations and their peoples.
It must take substantial time and plenty of thinkers, writers and technocrats to put together the Ha Noi Declaration, but the true beauty of the document is its implementation. It will definitely be difficult for nations of differing economies, cultures, religions, races and value systems to make reality the contents of the declaration. But it is good enough that there is a dream, a direction and a road map. We will get there, if not in our lifetime, hopefully in the next generation.
