AN FRANCISCO, Nov 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in San Francisco for the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), scheduled from Nov 14 to 17.
Anwar, along with his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil, and other delegation members, was warmly received at San Francisco International Airport by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, and Consul General of Malaysia in Los Angeles Anil Fahriza Adenan.
The Assistant Chief of Protocol for Diplomatic Affairs at the United States (US) Department of State, Nan Kennelly, also extended greetings upon their arrival.Anwar, who serves as the Finance Minister, is poised to articulate Malaysia’s priorities and principles under the MADANI Economy framework during the APEC meeting. The framework emphasizes inclusivity, sustainable development, and cooperation for shared prosperity.
Among the key agenda items, Anwar will use various platforms to address the Palestinian situation, advocating for global support, humanitarian access, and a just resolution to the conflict. The Prime Minister's engagements include participation in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests, dialogues with the leaders of Colombia, Fiji, and India, as well as the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders. Anwar will also partake in the APEC 2023 CEO Summit and the Second Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Leaders’ meeting.
A significant highlight is the Prime Minister’s public lecture at the University of California, Berkeley, focusing on “Superpower Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia-Pacific – The View from Southeast Asia.” Anwar will provide insights into the geopolitical situation, touching on democracy, constitutional liberties, and Islamophobia.
Additionally, Anwar has one-on-one meetings scheduled with prominent American business leaders to finalize high-value investments aligning with the MADANI Economy framework and National Industrial Master Plan 2030.
Bilateral meetings with leaders of APEC Economies are on the agenda to explore avenues for strengthening cooperation. An agreement exchange between BlackBerry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on cybersecurity cooperation is also anticipated.
Before departing for Malaysia, the Prime Minister plans to meet the Malaysian diaspora and students in San Francisco at a dinner event.The APEC 2023 theme, “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” is expected to culminate in the adoption of the APEC Leaders’ 2023 Golden Gate Declaration, reflecting commitments to address global challenges in line with the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040.
The United States and Malaysia, among the 12 founding members of APEC, are integral to this economic cooperation forum, which includes countries such as Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam subsequently joined, bringing the total membership to 21.
APEC represents close to three billion people, accounting for 62 per cent of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 48 per cent of global trade in 2021.
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