SAN FRANCISCO: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived here for the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) from Nov 14-17.
The aircraft carrying Anwar for his inaugural Apec meeting as the head of government landed at the San Francisco International Airport in California at 9.37pm on Tuesday (1.37pm Malaysian time yesterday).
With him were his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
They were received by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and Consul General of Malaysia in Los Angeles Anil Fahriza Adenan.
He was also greeted by the Assistant Chief of Protocol for Diplomatic Affairs at the US Department of State, Nan Kennelly, on arrival, Bernama reported.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, is set to take the opportunity to share the country’s priorities and principles under the Madani Economy framework, emphasising inclusivity, sustainable development and cooperation for shared prosperity at the meeting.
At various multilateral and bilateral platforms, Anwar also aims to highlight the Palestinian situation to advocate global support, humanitarian access and a just resolution to the conflict.
He will participate in the Apec Economic Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests, among others, the leaders of Colombia, Fiji and India as well as the Apec Business Advisory Council Dialogue with Apec Economic Leaders and the Apec 2023 CEO Summit.
He will also join in the Second Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Leaders’ meeting.
One of the highlights is the Prime Minister’s public lecture to students and scholars at the University of California, Berkeley, on “Superpower Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia-Pacific – The View from South-East Asia”.
In giving an overview of the geopolitical situation, he will also touch on democracy, constitutional liberties and Islamophobia.
Anwar has also been scheduled to have one-on-one meetings with prominent American business leaders on the sidelines of the AELM.
These meetings are aimed at finalising high-value investments, which would create high-quality jobs in Malaysia, in line with the government’s priorities as outlined in the Madani Economy framework and National Industrial Master Plan 2030.
Anwar is also set to hold bilateral meetings with several Leaders of Apec Economies to explore means to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas for mutual benefit.
He is also expected to witness the exchange of an agreement between BlackBerry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on cybersecurity cooperation.
Before returning to Malaysia, he will meet the Malaysian diaspora and students at a dinner event.
Apec 2023, themed “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All”, is expected to adopt the Apec Leaders’ 2023 Golden Gate Declaration and advance efforts reflecting Apec Economies’ commitment to address global challenges towards realising the Apec Putrajaya Vision 2040.
The United States and Malaysia are among the 12 founding members of Apec. The others are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico and Papua New Guinea followed suit in 1993. Chile acceded in 1994 and in 1998, Peru, Russia and Vietnam also joined the cooperation, taking the full membership to 21.
Apec is home to close to three billion people, 62% of world gross domestic product and 48% of world trade in 2021.
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