Reem Hashimy attends APEC Economic Leaders’ Week

On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, visited Peru’s capital, Lima, to attend the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.

The UAE’s participation as a Guest of Honour at the high-level-multilateral grouping highlights the strength of bilateral relations with Peru, and reaffirms the UAE’s status as a reliable multilateral partner.

This visit presented new opportunities for cooperation between the UAE and APEC members, including Peru, to drive growth in innovation and digital transformation, while reinforcing the global agenda on climate action and sustainability.

During the meeting chaired by President Dina Boluarte, Al Hashimy expressed her appreciation to the President of Peru for inviting the UAE as a Guest of Honour, affirming that this distinguished engagement will enhance cooperation between the UAE and APEC economies in future multilateral platforms.

It is also a testament to the UAE’s role as a key economic partner and modern financial, trading, and investment hub in international fora and the country’s commitment to multilateralism, and constructive dialogue.

Al Hashimy reaffirmed the dedication of both nations to strengthening ties across all areas of mutual interest, including in economic development and climate action at the regional and international levels.

Al Hashimy underscored the significance of the APEC Forum’s theme this year - “Empower. Include. Grow” - for driving sustainability by fostering collaborations among member states to promote inclusive growth, support a just energy transition, and implement sustainable trade, investment, and innovation policies across the Asia-Pacific region.

Highlighting the UAE’s pioneering role, she underlined that COP28 represented a pivotal moment in climate diplomacy, culminating in the historic UAE Consensus - a landmark agreement signed by 198 Parties that ushered in a new era of climate action.

COP28 set many milestones, including the COP Presidencies Troika - which unite the Presidencies of COP28, COP29 and COP30.

Additionally, she reaffirmed the UAE’s strong support for the COP29 presidency in Baku.

The UAE’s commitment aligns with APEC’s objectives of fostering inclusive growth and sustainable progress and supporting communities’ resilience to shared global challenges.

During the visit, Al Hashimy also held a bilateral meeting with Elmer Schialer, Peru’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss efforts to strengthen cooperation in political and economic fields, as well as people-to-people ties.

Al Hashimy conveyed her appreciation to President Boluarte and the Peruvian government for their support in advancing bilateral relations, and expressed her confidence that the ongoing endeavors to deepen UAE-Peru relations will continue to provide promising opportunities for both nations and people.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation will remain vital for globalisation, with the group’s meetings in Peru aiming to highlight its role as the gateway for trade and investment from China and Asia to Latin America, experts said.

According to a report by China Daily, Michael Walsh, the executive director of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, an association of CEOs and business leaders, stated that this year’s gathering serves as a crucial platform for promoting inclusive economic growth throughout the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in light of the shifting political dynamics surrounding trans-Pacific trade.

In the face of economic challenges, APEC is seeking to reinforce regional cooperation and globalisation while supporting a sustainable recovery, he said.

The priorities for this year’s meetings include trade and investment for inclusive and interconnected growth, innovation and digitalisation to promote the transition to the formal and global economy, and sustainable growth for resilient development.

WAM