: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministers responsible for trade agreed to push for market driven economic integration and work on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific agenda which will contribute to high quality and comprehensive regional undertakings.
They also called the progress of on-going WTO negotiations to be expedited, in the lead up to the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and are taking note of the call by Apec’s Business Advisory Council for it to continue supporting the multilateral trading system. While expressing their deepest condolences over the tragic loss of lives and empathy for those who are suffering due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ministers said they are committed to continuing to cooperate and act swiftly in fostering quality growth, and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The site will serve as a tool for information sharing among Apec members to improve the region’s preparedness against pandemics and as a reference point for member economies’ Covid-19 experiences.