The 21 countries that make up the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) have signed a final declaration at the meeting in Thailand that includes the so-called Bangkok Goals for a green circular economy.
The Thai government has emphasized that this is a way to drive sustainable economic growth for the post-pandemic era and sees it as an achievement of its annual rotating chairmanship of APEC.
In addition, the statement notes that the vast majority of member countries have condemned the war in Ukraine, although it mentions that there are «other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions.» It also includes a defense of free and fair trade in the Pacific region.
The summit also served to hand over the annual chairmanship to the United States. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan Ocha handed over the baton to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the top U.S. representative at the summit. Harris announced that the next APEC summit will be held on November 12, 2023 in San Francisco, California.
Harris met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during her stay in Bangkok. During the meeting, Jinping expressed his hope for an improvement in relations with the United States.
He also stressed that the meeting he held earlier this week in Bali with Joe Biden was «strategic and constructive», according to Chinese state television CCTV.
