Promoting Inclusive Growth: 2018 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting concludes in Papua New Guinea
Updated 07:34, 22-Nov-2018
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The city of Port Moresby has bid farewell to APEC leaders and delegates, who had gathered for this year's Economic Leaders' Meeting. The final day of the meeting on Sunday saw members making a pledge to further economic ties across the region. Greg Navarro has more.
The final day of the APEC meeting featured a smiling family photo, and a parting message from Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.
PETER O'NEILL PRIME MINISTER, PAPUA NEW GUINEA "I know today many of you will leave our shores, but let me say that we are grateful for your visit."
The leaders of 21-economies also took part in meetings aimed at increasing economic cooperation just one day after several high profile speeches from APEC members including China's President.
DATO PADUKA TIMOTHY ONG CHAIRMAN OF ASIA INC FORUM "President Xi reassured us that China is committed to economic openness, because economic openness is the reason why many Asia-Pacific economies have prospered. And its opening-up has created enormous opportunities and when it opens up, it grows dynamically, it creates opportunities for its neighbours and for the whole of APEC."
RAMON LOPEZ SECRETARY OF TRADE & INDUSTRY OF PHILIPPINES "China has a big role to play because its huge economy, huge market. And it's actually important that China is opening up its market so they also want the trading partners to prosper. This is the kind of globalization that is inclusive."
The host nation also announced a plan to work with Australia, New Zealand the US, and Japan to boost access to electricity here, in a country where it's currently available to just 13% of the population.
O'Neill also told members that the experience of hosting APEC will have a lasting impact on his country.
PETER O'NEILL PRIME MINISTER, PAPUA NEW GUINEA "It has certainly given our people in Papua New Guinea a lot of hope. Hope in the sense that they are part of a global community."
And particularly, he said, a part of the Asia Pacific region.
Greg Navarro, CGTN, Port Moresby.