Singapore to host Apec summit in 2030
The Straits Times|November 18, 2024
This is one way it can contribute to ensuring more inclusive growth, says PM Wong
Linette Lai
Singapore to host Apec summit in 2030

Singapore has offered to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in 2030, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov 16.

This is one way that the Republic will contribute to ensuring more inclusive growth, against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical rivalry and weakening support for free trade, he added.

"We find Apec to be a very valuable platform, and we will do our part to support Apec in different ways, including the hosting of Apec summits," he told reporters at the close of this year's summit in Lima, Peru.

Singapore is part of the 21-member Apec, which includes major world powers such as the US, China and Russia, and whose economies make up close to half of global trade. The last time the Republic hosted an Apec summit was in 2009.

PM Wong noted that across the board, there was concern at this year's summit that support for globalization and free trade is weakening around the world.

People in many economies of Apec feel that the fruits of free trade have not been shared equally. Meanwhile, geopolitics is resulting in more things being seen through a security lens, rather than that of win-win cooperation, he noted.

"What can we do about this? One response would be to simply put up more barriers," he observed.

"But it's good that the Apec economies across the board reject that response, and feel that the right way to go about dealing with these concerns is to double down on our trade and investment links, make sure that trade works for the benefit of all our peoples, and find ways to make growth more inclusive."

This story is from the November 18, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 18, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
Star producer of NewJeans quits after legal spat with BTS agency
The Straits Times

Star producer of NewJeans quits after legal spat with BTS agency

The South Korean super-producer behind the chart-topping girl group NewJeans resigned from her label on Nov 20, following a protracted legal battle with Hybe that has rocked the country's K-pop industry.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
One Direction stars attend Liam Payne's funeral in UK
The Straits Times

One Direction stars attend Liam Payne's funeral in UK

Family and friends of One Direction star Liam Payne, who died in October after falling from a Buenos Aires hotel room, gathered for his funeral in Britain on Nov 20.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Composer A.R. Rahman and wife separate after 29 years of marriage
The Straits Times

Composer A.R. Rahman and wife separate after 29 years of marriage

Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and his wife, Saira, have announced their decision to part ways after nearly 30 years of marriage.

time-read
1 min  |
November 22, 2024
Audemars Piguet joins hands with Kaws for groovy new drop
The Straits Times

Audemars Piguet joins hands with Kaws for groovy new drop

Audemars Piguet has teamed up with contemporary American artist Brian Donnelly - better known by his pseudonym Kaws - to create the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion, a 43mm titanium horological knockout which groovily fuses high watchmaking and pop art.

time-read
1 min  |
November 22, 2024
LOCAL DESIGNERS GET WICKED
The Straits Times

LOCAL DESIGNERS GET WICKED

Singapore fashion designers have created clothes and accessories in a Wicked collaboration between Design Orchard and NBCUniversal

time-read
6 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Captain America excited to flaunt new powers
The Straits Times

Captain America excited to flaunt new powers

No serum? No problem. New Captain America Anthony Mackie goes on a different flight path in upcoming movie

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
SBA RESHUFFLE NETS KIM
The Straits Times

SBA RESHUFFLE NETS KIM

S. Korea's ex-Asiad champ will become Singapore women's singles head coach

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Yeo targets top-l O spot after maiden win over Sindhu
The Straits Times

Yeo targets top-l O spot after maiden win over Sindhu

As far as giants go, they do not come taller in the badminton women's singles circuit than India's 1.79m P. V. Sindhu, who has a 2019 world title and an Olympic silver (Rio 2016) and bronze (Tokyo 2020) to match her stature.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 22, 2024
Hearing-impaired Audelle, 10, is rising chess star
The Straits Times

Hearing-impaired Audelle, 10, is rising chess star

It was only when Audelle Sim was six years old that her parents found out that she has a hearing impairment.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 22, 2024
The Straits Times

THE BEST OF CHESS AND MORE

S,pore world c'ship's side events include fan zones with grandmasters and exhibitions

time-read
2 mins  |
November 22, 2024