TAIPEI (TVBS News) — U.S. Ambassador Matt Murray, senior official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), recently defended the relevance of the economic forum in the latest episode of the TVBS Meeting Room, released on Saturday (Nov. 11).
During the show, TVBS commentator Wenchi Yu highlighted criticisms suggesting that APEC's significance has diminished since its inception in an era focused on economic cooperation, trade liberalization, and globalization.
Responding to these concerns, Murray emphasized that APEC economies have diversified significantly over the past 30 years, witnessing events such as the Asian financial crisis, Sept. 11, the global financial crisis, and the COVID pandemic. Despite these challenges, he noted that APEC has consistently found ways to contribute meaningfully to global issues.
Murray acknowledged that APEC has adapted, slightly altering its focus and priorities. He stressed that the organization is now more crucial than ever, tackling a broader range of issues that reflect contemporary global challenges.
The United States is hosting the 2023 APEC Economic Leaders' Week, chaired by President Joe Biden in San Francisco. The week-long event will culminate with the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on Nov. 16-17, during which Asia-Pacific leaders will establish regional goals and a strategic agenda for the upcoming year under the guidance of President Biden.