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APEC Advances Indigenous Peoples’ Economic Priorities through Trade
Issued by the 2023 APEC Ministerial MeetingIn an effort to meet people where they are and respond to the call for including more diverse voices in policy discussions, the United States, chair of APEC 2023, hosted the first APEC Ministers’ Meeting Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples in San Francisco on 14 November.
“Our economies are more than just numbers and data sets,” said the United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai as she opened the dialogue joined by her minister counterparts.
“Our economies are made up of people and so we need to make sure that our economies work for our people,” Ambassador Tai continued. “Not only for those that know the ins and outs of trade policymaking, but also for those who may have been traditionally left out of those conversations.”
“Not only must they have a seat at the table, their voices also must shape the work that we do and the work that we produce,” she remarked.
The dialogue brought together diverse Indigenous panelists from across the Asia-Pacific to further learn how policymakers can make trade and investment more inclusive for Indigenous Peoples.
Chief of the Mohegan Tribe and United States Treasurer Marilynn Malerba moderated the dialogue. She recalled that Indigenous entrepreneurship is unique and very personal in order to ensure the continued existence of their people.
Malerba pointed out the role of Indigenous enterprises and trade agreements are additive not reductive, and how the success of tribes contribute to the success of the region.
“What really makes Indigenous economy stand out is because it is not about just wealth, but it is about taking care of the communities,” Malerba said.
The panel reflected on the current situation, underscoring that international trade and trade agreements are complex for many entrepreneurs and communities.
Ambassador Justin Mohamed, Australian Ambassador for First Nations People, expanded the understanding about ways to improve engagement between government and Indigenous Peoples, stressing the need for a holistic approach that embraces the diversity and dynamism of different tribes and different communities across the APEC region.
Reflecting on the importance of international trade and what is now referred to as economic reconciliation, Dale LeClair, Director of Indigenous and Northern Affairs at the Canada Post Corporation Engagement, highlighted the need to address barriers to trade, especially intellectual property.
Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr explained that while Indigenous Peoples have the capacity to engage in international trade, there is still a great deal of capacity building needed.
Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Greg Sarris emphasized how trade and cooperation has enabled Indigenous communities to maintain peace and healthy, sustained environments over the years. He underscored the importance for today’s businesses to incorporate social and cultural values, as well as environmental stewardship.
Ministers also heard from the panel that inclusive policy needs to be supportive and transparent, and that Indigenous Peoples need to be at the table and not just as an advisor but to take an active role in developing future policies.
Ambassador Tai urged her minister counterparts to contemplate ways to craft policies that deliver real benefits to more people across our economies especially the region’s Indigenous communities.
“Today is an exciting opportunity for me—and I hope for all of my fellow ministers—to broaden our understanding of Indigenous perspectives on trade beyond our own individual economies,” Ambassador Tai concluded. “And my hope is that this dialogue can remain a mainstay in APEC’s trade and investment work moving forward.”
For further details, please contact:
Masyitha Baziad +65 9751 2146 at mb@apec.org
Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 at mc@apec.org
Asia-Pacific Leaders United in Building Inclusive, Resilient, Sustainable Economies
Issued by the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting
Facing a variety of economic and environmental challenges, economic leaders from 21 APEC member economies convened in San Francisco on 16 and 17 November setting the direction on the forum’s work to advance sustainability, just energy transitions and interconnectedness, as well as to build inclusive and resilient economies.
Chaired by the President of the United States Joe Biden, APEC Economic Leaders’ Week concluded with a joint declaration that reinforces members’ commitment to taking joint actions to address the concerns and aspirations of all people in the Asia-Pacific.
Also read: APEC Economic Leaders Jointly Agree to Golden Gate Declaration
In his opening remarks at the Leaders’ Retreat on 17 November, President Biden applauded the commitment of leaders of the world’s most dynamic region in working together to find ways to build an inclusive resilient and sustainable economies for the Asia-Pacific.
“We talked about the progress that requires partnership. Together, we laid out the work we'll be undertaking to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis,” said President Biden, adding that United States’ companies have announced more than USD 50 billion in investments into APEC economies to build new undersea cables, decarbonize energy grids and complete the largest United States’ airline expansion into the South Pacific in history.
President Biden also pointed to the progress made by the Indo Pacific Economic Framework in which 13 of the 21 APEC economies are members, with the agreements to strengthen supply chains, accelerate clean energy transition and combat corruption.
President Biden highlighted key areas where economies can further build the region’s infrastructure, including inclusive, interconnected growth and technology.
Watch: President Biden’s Remarks at APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat
“When everyone in our economy has a chance to contribute, everyone gets a fair shot, we all do better,” President Biden said, announcing the launch of Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative.
The US initiative contains over USD 900 million in commitments from governments, companies, foundations and civil society to increase women’s participation in blue and green industries such as forest management, clean energy fisheries and recycling.
President Biden added that the United States is also supporting programs that expand access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, address laws that limit women's equal access to land and natural resources, and plan to invest in young women and entrepreneurs in the maritime sector.
“And I—I challenge us all to find new ways we can seize the full potential of all of our people,” President Biden added.
President Biden predicted that technological change will advance more in the next 10 years than it has in the last 50 years.
“I don't think that's hyperbole. I think we are going to see that changing so rapidly, and together we have to make sure it changes for the better,” added President Biden in reference to his conversation with China’s President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the retreat about the impact of artificial intelligence and how economies have to work on it.
“Together we must ensure that change is for the better. We must ensure that the digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are used to uplift, not limit the potential of our people,” President Biden stressed.
In October, President Biden signed an executive order to set a new AI standards for public the and private sector in the United States. This includes requiring developers of the most powerful AI systems to share their safety test results with the government, as well as strengthen technologies to protect privacy and preventing employers from using the technology to exploit their workers.
“But this is a shared challenge and requires shared solutions,” said President Biden. “And I would respectfully suggest all of us around this table have a responsibility to work together to seize the opportunities and manage the risks of this technology, which are so critical to our collective economic futures.”
President Biden concluded his remarks by introducing President Dina Boluarte of Peru who will host APEC in 2024.
In her intervention, President Boluarte observed that Peru’s APEC host year will continue to build on the vision that was embraced in 2020, which includes promoting equity between men and women, empowering women in economic development with respect in society and politics, as well as in employment.
Peru will present its priorities to APEC senior officials during the first week of December.
For further details, please contact:
Masyitha Baziad +65 9751 2146 at mb@apec.org
Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 at mc@apec.org
