At the APEC Symposium on 2022 Priorities, Thailand set the scene for APEC 2022 theme and priorities and discussed how to accelerate post-COVID-19 recovery and strive towards balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth by exploring innovative business models, including the bio-circular-green (BCG) economy with various stakeholders.
On 1 December 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted the Symposium on 2022 Priorities at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket as a forum to flesh out details of APEC 2022 priorities which will lay the foundation for APEC meetings throughout 2022. Panelists, including experts from international organisations, business sectors, representatives from APEC member economies, APEC Secretariat and youth, exchanged views and shared experiences on how to advance economic recovery from COVID-19 embracing the theme of APEC 2022, “Open. Connect. Balance.”
In the opening session, H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in the capacity of the APEC SOM Chair for APEC 2022, delivered the opening remarks, followed by a keynote speech on the BCG Economy Model from Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Former Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. There was also a presentation from Master Bhoom Tansirimas, a young environmental activist, on how the power of one can create a balanced, sustainable future.
Key takeaways from the meeting included (1) promoting whole-of-society growth strategy towards resiliency and transformation; (2) the public sector’s role in incentivising and creating an enabling environment to support the sustainability agenda, while the private sector needs to shift from profit maximisation to sustainable business models; (3) the role of sustainable finance, including innovative financial tools, to achieve inclusivity and sustainability; and (4) the need to reconnect the region to support economic recovery by exploring possible common travel protocol and mutual recognition of health certificates as well as promoting sustainable tourism. APEC should act quickly and closer together. Change is not enough, and the risk of inaction is tremendous.
The Symposium provided a good basis for Thailand’s presentation on priorities, key deliverables and initiatives in moving APEC’s work plan in the year ahead.