APEC interesting update

APEC Tackles Travel Uncertainties and Ensures Regional Connectivity

Issued by the APEC Safe Passage Taskforce

Bangkok, Thailand, 15 November 2022

APEC member economies are ramping up efforts to revitalize cross-border travel by tackling the lingering uncertainties faced by travellers even as the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year.

Through a report developed by the APEC Policy Support Unit, APEC’s Safe Passage Taskforce put forward recommendations to drive the forum’s work on passenger movements in the region, looking into issues at and behind the border that can be addressed to facilitate travel and tourism in the region. 

At the start of the pandemic, the APEC region implemented some of the most stringent cross-border travel restrictions in the world, and the impact of these measures have been massive and protracted.

According to the report, international tourist arrivals to APEC economies fell by 79.1 percent in 2020 relative to 2019, which is higher than the 69.8 percent contraction registered in the rest of the world. While the rest of the world saw an increase of 18.4 percent in tourist arrivals between 2020 and 2021, arrivals in the APEC region continued to decline by 28.3 percent during the same period.

“Safe passage coordination between member economies needs to continue even when the pandemic becomes endemic,” said Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s APEC Senior Official and the chair of the taskforce. “Beyond COVID-19, we need to come together and build that resilience in the face of future pandemics or crises that may affect cross-border travel.” 

“Travel and tourism are key to the economic growth of our region, so facilitating the safe resumption of cross-border movements will continue to feature post-pandemic,” Cherdchai added.

Since its inception earlier this year, the taskforce has been exchanging best practices on the safe resumption of cross-border travel at the domestic, sub-regional and regional levels. It has worked towards greater alignment of approaches across APEC, for example, through policy discussions on facilitating travel for air and maritime crew as well as improved interoperability of vaccine certificates issued by APEC economies.

Earlier this year, trade ministers welcomed the Voluntary Principles for the Interoperability of Vaccination Certificates in the APEC Region during their meeting in Bangkok in May. The voluntary principles encourage members to recognize vaccination certificates issued by other APEC economies as proof of an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status for cross-border entry and use within borders. 

“Containing COVID-19 through widespread and equitable access to vaccines is still the most important prerequisite to safely reopen borders and resume travel and tourism in the region,” said Emmanuel San Andres, a senior analyst with the Policy Support Unit. 

“There is a need to strike a balance between policies that save lives and policies that enable economic activity and people-to-people connectivity,” San Andres added. “Key to finding this sweet spot is ensuring that border policies are based on the best public health science and empirical data.”

The report also emphasises the importance of providing travellers clear information about entry requirements relating to COVID-19. The information needs to be up-to-date and access should be easy. Thailand recently launched a one-stop information hub that highlights the summary of health and COVID-related border measures across APEC.

Regional mobility issues are cross-cutting and involve several ministries, the report highlights. It recommends member economies to continue coordination and cooperation and develop a mechanism that are flexible, ready and quick in order to immediately respond to future risks to cross-border mobility. 

Read the full report: COVID-19 and Cross-Border Mobility in the APEC Region: Addressing Uncertainties at the Border

APEC Launches Information Hub for International Travel

Issued by the APEC Health Working Group

Bangkok, Thailand, 15 November 2022

Today APEC launched a one-stop portal aiming to provide high-level summary of information on international travel within the region as member economies safely resume cross-border movement.

“One of Thailand’s focuses this year is to restore connectivity, which was disrupted by the pandemic, by promoting the resumption of safe cross-border travel across the APEC region, revitalize tourism, as well as facilitate business activities and increase investment in health security,” said Dr Pongsadhorn Pokpermdee, the Chair of APEC Health Working Group, who oversees the initiative. 

Ολοκλήρωση των εργασιών της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής της Νέας Δημοκρατίας- Εκλογή Εκτελεστικής Γραμματείας

 

Αθήνα, 15 Νοεμβρίου 2022   Από το Γραφείο Τύπου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας, εκδόθηκε η ακόλουθη ανακοίνωση:   Ολοκλήρωση των εργασιών της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής της Νέας Δημοκρατίας- Εκλογή Εκτελεστικής Γραμματείας   «Πραγματοποιήθηκε χθες η Συνεδρίαση της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής της Νέας Δημοκρατίας υπό τον πρόεδρο του κόμματος και Πρωθυπουργό Κυριάκο Μητσοτάκη, ο οποίος με την ομιλία του άνοιξε την έναρξη των εργασιών της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής.   Κατόπιν, το λόγο πήρε ο Γραμματέας της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής της ΝΔ Παύλος Μαρινάκης ο οποίος απεύθυνε την ομιλία του προς το σώμα, ενώ ακολούθησε η διαδικασία εκλογής της Εκτελεστικής Γραμματείας του κόμματος.   Το λόγο έλαβε η πρόεδρος της Εφορευτικής Επιτροπής Σοφία Βούλτεψη η οποία ανέγνωσε τον κατάλογο των υποψηφιοτήτων.   Η Εφορευτική Επιτροπή αποτελούμενη από τη Σοφία Βούλτεψη ως Πρόεδρο, την Κωνσταντίνα Καρακώστα και τον Γιάννη Παπαγεωργίου ως μέλη, έπειτα από σχετική πρόταση της Προέδρου της, αποφάσισε ομόφωνα ότι στην εκλογή των αιρετών μελών της Εκτελεστικής Γραμματείας παρέλκει η διεξαγωγή της εκλογικής διαδικασίας με κάλπη και ψηφοδέλτιο, όπως κατ’ αναλογία είθισται να πραγματοποιείται σε εσωκομματικές διαδικασίες στις οποίες ο αριθμός των υποψηφίων αιρετών μελών είναι ίσος με τον αριθμό των υπό εκλογή θέσεων μελών της Εκτελεστικής Γραμματείας.   Αιρετά μέλη της Εκτελεστικής Γραμματείας της Νέας Δημοκρατίας εξελέγησαν ομόφωνα:   Κοινοβουλευτικά μέλη: 1.​Μαρία-Αλεξάνδρα Κεφάλα 2.​Άννα Μάνη-Παπαδημητρίου 3.​Βασίλειος-Πέτρος Σπανάκης 4.​Ευριπίδης Στυλιανίδης   Mέλη της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής, πλην των μελών της Κοινοβουλευτικής Ομάδας:   1.​Κωνσταντίνος Αγοραστός 2.​Κωνσταντίνος Γιαννουλάκης 3.​Κωνσταντίνα Καλλιοντζή-Νικολοπούλου 4.​Ιωάννης Πολιτόπουλος   Παράλληλα, το Σώμα της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής ενέκρινε την τροποποίηση του Κανονισμού Λειτουργίας Οργανώσεων Απόδημου Ελληνισμού της Νέας Δημοκρατίας, κάτι που πλέον δρομολογεί τη διεξαγωγή εσωκομματικών εκλογών των οργανώσεων του κόμματος για τους Έλληνες της Διασποράς μετά από 11 χρόνια και αποδεικνύει πως η Νέα Δημοκρατία είναι έμπρακτα κοντά στους Έλληνες του εξωτερικού, μετά μάλιστα και από την εμβληματική μεταρρύθμιση που για πρώτη φορά τους δίνει τη δυνατότητα να ασκήσουν το εκλογικό τους δικαίωμα από τον τόπο διαμονής τους.   Η συνεδρίαση συνεχίστηκε με τις τοποθετήσεις των μελών της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής σύμφωνα με τον κατάλογο των ομιλητών».

Council of the EU,all interesting latest news

 

Meetings Monday 14 November 2022

● Council of the EU   14/11/2022 20:38 | MEETING | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council, 14 November 2022   The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Great Lakes region and on the Western Balkans. The Council was also informed about current affairs.

Council of the EU
Foreign Affairs Council, 14 November 2022

Main results
Russian aggression against Ukraine

The Foreign Affairs Council exchanged views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Before the Council discussion, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, briefed EU ministers via video conference about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine's current priorities.

The Council reconfirmed that the EU stays united in its support to Ukraine, and discussed about continued military support to Ukraine. In this regard ministers welcomed the decision to launch the EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine to provide at least 15 000 Ukrainian soldiers with training.

Ministers also discussed overall approach to Russia.



We will continue to isolate Russia internationally, impose restrictive measures against Russia. We stand ready to continue reinforcing restrictive measures against Russia, and target third countries involvement, especially those who are providing arms and military support, Iran and Belarus.Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The Council focused on ensuring accountability for violations of international law and war crimes committed in Ukraine, working closely with NATO and partners worldwide to defend the rules-based international order, and enhancing the EU's resilience - in particular on energy security and critical infrastructure - countering Russia’s hybrid threats, and information manipulation.


Infographic - EU sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of UkraineSee full infographic

ΝΑΤΟ update

 

Press Release 15 November 2022 PR (2022) 149 NATO Secretary General attends virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will attend the virtual ministerial Ukraine Defense Contact Group on 16 November 2022. The meeting is hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Mr. Lloyd J. Austin III and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley. No media event is planned at NATO. Media questions about the meeting should be addressed to the Pentagon. The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System – HIMARS – lands in Romania The US M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, was flown into Romania as part of an exercise to demonstrate how rapidly it can be deployed. The UK’s Royal Air Force flew the HIMARS from the UK to Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport in Constanta, on the south-eastern coast of Romania. The US-led exercise, called ATREUS, helped familiarise Romanian soldiers with the rocket launcher system, which gives NATO the ability to conduct powerful long-range precision strikes. ATREUS has also been taking place in Poland and Norway. In Romania, no live-firing was conducted. ATREUS ran from 7 to 11 November 2022. Click here to download the b-roll. Footage includes shots of a UK RAF transport plane landing, HIMARS rolling off and being driven around by Romanian soldiers as well as soundbites from Major General Iulian Berdilă, chief of the Romanian Land Forces.

NATO Secretary General visits the Netherlands Today, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra and with Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren in The Hague. The Secretary General welcomed the strong contributions from the Netherlands to Allied security, including jets to protect NATO’s eastern flank, leading one of NATO’s maritime groups and taking part in NATO’s battlegroups in Lithuania and Romania. Click here to download the joint press conference and Q&A session with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra and with Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren.

NATO Secretary General to participate in meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council

On Tuesday, 15 November 2022, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will participate in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU), with Defence Ministers. The meeting will take place at the Europa building of the Council of the EU in Brussels. Media advisory ±13:00 (CET)        Doorstep statement by the NATO Secretary General Media coverage The doorstep statement will be streamed live on the NATO website. A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks will be available on the NATO website. Photos and video will be available on the NATO website.

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Norway to contribute approximately NOK 1,5 billion to British-led Ukraine fund News story | 10/11/2022 | Ministry of Defence – The Norwegian Government is preparing to contribute approximately 1,5 billion NOK to the British-led International Fund for Ukraine. This comes in addition to the 400 million NOK that Norway previously has donated to the fund. That funding was used to acquire drones, drone jamming equipment and artillery shells, says Norwegian Minister of defence Bjørn Arild Gram. News alert about: Defence

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on..

 Statement by the Prime Minister on the 74th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III

November 14, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the 74th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada:

“Today, I join people in Canada and around the world to celebrate the 74th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III.

“This is the first time Canadians mark the birthday of their new King. It is an opportunity for us to recognize His Majesty’s dedication to service as well as the close and special relationship he has maintained with Canada throughout his life.

“The King has been visiting Canada for over 50 years, and has met with Canadians in all 13 provinces and territories. This includes his most recent visit with the Queen Consort, last May, to mark the late Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with His Majesty on many occasions and witnessed his commitment to building a better future.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish His Majesty a very happy birthday.”

Prime Minister announces additional military assistance for Ukraine and additional sanctions against Russia

November 14, 2022
Bali, Indonesia

As Russia continues its brutal, unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, Canada will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people and our allies, in defence of our shared values of peace, democracy, and human rights. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable.

APEC Bulletin 14 November 2022

APEC Bulletin 14 November 2022

Voices of the Future 2022: Youth Delegates on the Needs of a Generation
APEC Secretariat


Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha received a joint declaration from more than 100 Voices of the Future delegates with whom he met on Monday. Reflecting the views of the youth sector, the declaration highlights issues that are important to our younger generation.

Thailand is the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum this year. The theme of APEC 2022 is “Open. Connect. Balance.” — shorthand for making APEC open to all opportunities, connect in all dimensions, and balanced in all aspects, as the region aims for an inclusive and sustainable recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Driven by this theme, Thailand introduced the bio-circular-green (BCG) economy concept as a promising post-pandemic growth strategy where science, innovation, and technology are applied to promote the efficient use of resources, to maintain and restore ecosystems, and to reduce waste to build a system where government and business can thrive. Emphasized in the BCG Economy concept is the whole-of-society approach—what can government, business, the academia, and the youth do to ensure a balanced, sustainable, and inclusive future for your generation and beyond.

This renewed focus on inclusivity and the environment has made 2022 a landmark year for putting the concerns and priorities of young people front and center as economies near the midway point of this crucial decade. Both issues are extremely important to our youth who are more than aware that they will inherit a highly unequal and environmentally damaged world.

As such, APEC Voices of the Future—a platform for “Youth Voice” held on the margins of the annual APEC Leaders’ Meeting—holds special significance this year.

To showcase the BCG economy in Thailand, the Voices of The Future 2022 Working Committee prepared several activities. Of note, an educational tour at PTT Eastern Seaboard Facilities to show how business turns chemical waste into refrigerants, the activities at Panyapiwat Institute of Management showing how innovation could add value to Thai food, and the activities at Naraya will showcase how to create high-quality bags from Thai local fabrics and craftsmanship. These activities will demonstrate how Thailand capitalizes on the BCG Economy concept to ensure a balanced, sustainable, and inclusive future.

APEC is an effective multilateral forum because of the diversity of its members as well as the of the sectors from which it draws its policy recommendations. The idealism of the youth, their innovative spirit and eagerness to make their mark in the world make them a powerful resource for change. To capture their voice this year, the VOTF organizers asked the youth delegations of APEC member economies to answer – “what can youth do to ensure a balanced, sustainable, and inclusive future for their generation?”

According to the delegation from Thailand, APEC host 2022, “Youth are could play a vital role in achieving APEC’s goals for a greener, more sustain regional. Our voice matters.”

While instilling the youth with the right values are vital, it is also true that youth face unprecedented challenges. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has not been homogenous, and economic disparities across the youth must be recognized.

The delegation from the United States, incoming host of APEC Forum 2023, emphasizes this: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many youths have fallen behind in their education, especially those in lower-income countries that do not have widespread internet access. Low-income nine-year-old in the United States are almost a year behind in math, and reading compared to their peers prior to the pandemic, according to a New York Times article. Education must be accessible and equitable for all students and it is up to the business leaders and governments to make reliable, high-speed internet and computers accessible for all students to use, regardless of their ability to pay.”

The inequality in the education gap is something that economies need to address, as a region. Education is vital for the youth if they are to become the advocates of pressing social causes. The host of APEC 2021, New Zealand, reflected on this:

“Youth can build and expand international cooperation through global networks that work close together to implement plans and provide diversity. Participation from all groups ensures adequate representation and fosters balance and inclusiveness. These youth-led networks or movements can generate societal and political change. Optimizing and creating opportunities for youth to collaborate with peers and senior leaders in a meaningful way, such as Youth Parliaments and APEC Voices of the Future, ensures a balanced, sustainable, and inclusive future. Being heard by leaders ensures young voices are considered, and issues concerning current and future generations are addressed.”

The Youth Declaration as well as the individual answers of the different delegations, are reiterations of how important it is to continue to encourage, inspire, and create opportunities for youth to have their say, and to never be afraid of speaking their mind as we seek to build a balanced, sustainable, and inclusive future.