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 is attending The 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) from 18 until 19 November 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand.
His Majesty the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam will be participating the AELM Meeting, which will be chaired by His Excellency Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister of Thailand as APEC Chairman for 2022.
During this AELM meeting, among others, the leaders will be expected to attend a Royal Audience with His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, King of Thailand and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana; and to attend a dialogue with several Guests of the Chair: His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince dan the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, the President of the French Republic.
During one of the AELM sessions, the APEC Economic Leaders will also hear a briefing from the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the 2022 Global Economic Outlook.
Brunei Darussalam is one of the 12 founding member economies when APEC was first established in 1989.
APEC began as an informal forum at the Senior Officials and Ministerial level, for member economies to discuss and improve trade and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Since 1993, the AELM has been held annually to improve the strategic vision and direction for cooperation in the region. APEC, which now comprises 21 economies, serves as a cooperation platform to expand and develop economic growth, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The annual AELM is conducted physically this year. Under the APEC 2022 theme of “Open. Connect. Balance.”, in advancing a more balanced and sustainable post-COVID-19 economy, discussions will focus on facilitating open trade and investment; improving the business environment; advancing regional economic integration; restoring connectivity by resuming cross-border travel; reinvigorating tourism and the services sector; facilitating business mobility; increasing investment in health security; and ensuring economic goals are inclusive and sustainable.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
