His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on Saturday attended the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat, which was held at Lima Convention Centre (LCC), Lima, Peru.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
During the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat, His Majesty in a titah acknowledged that there is steady growth in various sectors and emphasised the need to address persistent challenges that threaten collective prosperity and stability such as conflicts and climate change where disruptive weather patterns are affecting lives and livelihoods and also endangers global ecosystems.
His Majesty highlighted that no single economy, large or small, can tackle these issues in isolation. Therefore, collective action is necessary to safeguard communities and secure a resilient future. Fostering collaboration enables economies to confront these challenges head-on, with significant advances through joint research, robust policy formulations and effective strategies.
The focus on key deliverables such as clean and low-carbon hydrogen and initiatives to prevent food loss and waste, are vital components of the Bangkok Goals agreed upon in 2022.
These initiatives are crucial in addressing the food security challenges posed by climate change and in enhancing the resilience of APEC economies.
In this regard, Brunei Darussalam, stated His Majesty, has introduced regenerative agriculture and green technologies, such as greenhouse farming and recirculating aquaculture, which focus on sustainable agricultural practices. However, ongoing conflicts, particularly in Palestine, Lebanon and the Balkans, pose a serious threat to this collective progress while disrupting global supply chains and threaten global security and economic stability.
As such, His Majesty underscored the importance of the global community to unite and prevent further escalation and spread of the conflict into respective regions and beyond.
During the retreat, the APEC leaders discussed cooperation and exchanged views on matters related to the key priorities of the meeting including promoting inclusive and interconnected growth through trade and investment; advancing innovation and digitalisation to promote the transition to the formal and global economy; and ensuring sustainable growth for resilient development.
At the end of the retreat, President of Peru Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra then handed over the APEC Chairmanship to President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol as incoming APEC Chair in 2025.
In addition, outcome documents such as the Ichma Statement on A New Look at the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific agenda; Lima Roadmap to Promote the Transition to the Formal and Global Economy; and 2024 APEC Leaders’ Machu Picchu Declaration were issued and adopted.
DEPARTURE FROM LIMA, PERU
Following the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat, His Majesty left Lima, Republic of Peru on Saturday afternoon.
Prior to departure, Doa Selamat was recited by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
Present at Jorge Chávez International Airport to bid farewell to His Majesty was the President of the Council of Ministers of Peru Gustavo Lino Adrianzén.
Also present was Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the United States Dato Paduka Haji Serbini bin Haji Ali (Non-Resident Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Peru).
