At the 30th APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Peru, Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan advocated for a trade framework emphasizing inclusivity, sustainability, and equity within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) framework. Minister Hasan outlined the necessity for these principles to drive sustainable development and reciprocal benefits across participating economies.
His comments, extracted from a press release by his office, underscored the essential role of the multilateral trade system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its helm, especially during periods of global economic instability and strained international relations. He called on APEC trade ministers to reinforce their support for the WTO by backing the Abu Dhabi Packages, which were ratified at the 13th WTO Ministerial Meeting in the United Arab Emirates.
Minister Hasan stressed leveraging the political momentum from the WTO assembly to enhance discussions on the package and address lingering issues. He advocated for improvements to the WTO’s bifurcated dispute resolution system within the year to restore global confidence in the mechanism.
On e-commerce, Hasan argued for adaptable policies that accommodate the specific challenges faced by developing and least-developed nations in digital trade. He also urged APEC to balance environmental regulations within trade frameworks to ensure they foster rather than hinder global commerce.
Focusing on the necessities of developing countries, Hasan called for the integration of special treatments, technical support, and capacity-building initiatives in all WTO discussions to aid these economies.
Minister Hasan concluded with a statement of hope that the meeting would spur substantial advancements in resolving ongoing WTO issues, thus enhancing the trade landscape for APEC members and contributing positively to the global economy.
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