BANGKOK, Thailand, yesterday, took over the rotating chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) from New Zealand, declaring the theme for 2022 APEC as “Open. Connect. Balance.”
During the handover of the APEC chairmanship, New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said that, the 2021 theme of APEC, “Join, Work, Grow Together,” was inspired by the Maori.
“Traditionally, building a waka (canoe) involved the entire Maori communities, working in harmony towards a common goal. These waka enabled Maoris to traverse vast expanses of ocean. Likewise, building APEC prosperity requires collaborative effort from all the APEC economies, to reach a common goal,” she said.
“New Zealand is confident that Thailand would paddle the APEC canoe forward with enthusiasm, creativity and ingenuity,” Ardern said.
Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha said, Thailand was honoured to host APEC in 2022, and would continue to work and collaborate with the APEC economies for common development.
He explained the theme for 2022 APEC – “Open. Connect. Balance,” hoping for APEC to be “opened” to all opportunities, “connected” in every dimension, and “balanced” in all aspects.
He called for the APEC economies to synergise strength and determination, in reaching the goal to create the opened, dynamic, resilient and peaceful APEC community.
Source: Nam News Network