CNCPEC: Virtual International Symposium on Promoting Connectivity in Asia Pacific Towards a Future of Shared Prosperity and Sustainability

On August 07, 2020

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Virtual International Symposium on



Promoting Connectivity in Asia Pacific Towards a Future of Shared Prosperity and Sustainability


 Organized by: China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (CNCPEC) 

7 August 2020


 
APEC Economic Leaders approved the “APEC Connectivity Framework” in Bali in 2013, pledging to “reach a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated Asia-Pacific through the pillars of physical connectivity, institutional connectivity and people-to-people connectivity”. The 2014 Beijing APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting endorsed the “APEC Connectivity Blueprint for 2015-2025”, which called on the APEC economies to take agreed actions and meet agreed targets to strengthen the tri-pillar connectivity by 2025. This year marked the mid-term review of the Blueprint.

The outbreak of Covid-19 is severely affecting the trade and investment flow and global growth which shows on the other hand that the whole world are closely connected, humanity is a community with a shared future and prosperity. Asia Pacific connectivity is all the more desirable in the post-Covid-19 era. It is not only the prerequisite for realizing the regional economic integration, but also indispensable to revitalizing the economy and promoting the long-term inclusive growth and sustainable development especially in digital era. Based on such premises, this symposium will look into the progress we have made in the past few years on regional connectivity, the challenge we need to face and the future direction, facilitating the building of a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated Asia-Pacific.

pdf Executive Summary (188 KB)


Program (Draft)


 Friday, 7 August 2020 
     

10:00 - 10:10

 

Welcoming Remarks:

  • Su Ge, Co-Chair PECC, Chair CNCPEC

10:10 - 10:30

 

Keynote Address:

  • Lu Mei, China APEC Senior Official

10:30 - 11:30

 

Session 1:  Physical connectivity: sharing experiences and exploring the future

Over the recent years, the regional economies have gone to great lengths to enhance infrastructure construction, which has laid a solid foundation for the robust economic development in the region. Their valuable experiences in infrastructure networks warrant a close study to strengthen the regional infrastructural connectivity. This session will review the progress, share experiences and explore ways of the physical connectivity set forth by the Blueprint, which includes infrastructure financing through public private partnerships, ICT networks, industrial parks, cross-border energy trade and renewable energy projects and seek opportunities for digital infrastructure.

Moderator:

  • Zhao Yali, Vice Chair, CNCPEC

 

Speakers:

  • Yose Rizal Damuri, Co-Chair, INCPEC; Head of Department of Economics, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

  • Hugh Stephens, Vice Chair, CANCPEC

  • Harris Zainul, Analyst at the Economics, Trade and Regional Integration (ETRI) programme, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), Malaysia

  • Andrew Elek, Research Associate at the Crawford school of public policy, Australian National University

  • Zhang Liao, Chairman, Jumbo Consulting

 

Open Discussion 

 

11:30 - 12:30

 

Session 2: Institutional connectivity: sharing experiences and exploring the practicable ways of interconnecting various initiatives

In line with the Blueprint, this session focuses on important issues under the institutional connectivity pillar, such as trade and investment facilitation, structural and regulatory reforms as well as transport and logistics facilitation The discussants are encouraged to share the best practices and explore the practicable ways of connecting the institutional connectivity and also seek digital opportunities.

Moderator:

  • Eduardo Pedrosa, Secretary General, PECC


Speakers:

  • Brian Lynch, Chair, NZPECC

  • Vo Tri Thanh, Chair, VNCPEC; Chair, Institute for Brand Competitiveness Strategy

  • Peter Petri, Professor of International Finance, Brandeis University

  • Liu Chenyang, Director, APEC Study Center Nankai University

 

Open Discussion

 

12:30 – 13:30

 

 

Session 3: People-to-people connectivity: sharing experiences and exploring the practicable ways of interconnecting various initiatives

This session deals with people-to-people connectivity pillar. The discussants will examine the progress, share experiences and explore ways of linking various initiatives on enhancing business travel mobility, cross-border education, cultural exchange, tourism facilitation, and skilled labor mobility.

Moderator:

  • Eduardo Pedrosa, Secretary General, PECC

 

Speakers:

  • Narongchai Akrasanee, Chair, TNCPEC

  • Antonio Basilio, Chair, PPECC

  • Tan Khee Giap, Chair, SINCPEC

  • Chul Chung, Vice Chair, KOPEC; Vice President, Department of International Trade, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

  • Vincent Dropsy, Professor of Economics, University of French Polynesia


Open Discussion 

 

13:30 -13:45

 

 

Concluding Remarks:

  • Ma Keqing, Executive Vice Chair, CNCPEC