A Recap of APEC 101 – What Can We Expect from APEC 2023 in San Francisco?
February 28, 2023 — Asia Society Northern California held a behind-the-scenes look at APEC, which will host the Economic Leaders Week and CEO Summit in November 2023. This event was moderated by former Ambassador Larry Greenwood, Board Chair of the Japan Society of Northern California and Senior Adviser at BowerGroupAsia. The speakers included Monica Hardy Whaley, President of the National Center for APEC, and former Ambassador Kurt Tong, Managing Partner and member of the Executive Committee at The Asia Group and former Consul General of the United States of America to Hong Kong and Macau. John S. Wadsworth, Jr., Asia Society Northern California Honorary Chair and Asia Society Trustee Emeritus, gave opening remarks.
Greenwood began the discussion by providing the historical context of APEC and introduced the working groups in which APEC operates. Tong supplemented this with the framework the member economies and its leaders use to come to a consensus and political commitment to these desired outcomes. He then evaluated the evolution of APEC, finding that the American approach towards regional economic integration and geopolitical cooperation became weaker since its last U.S. convention in 2011. Whaley delved into the operations of the APEC Business Advisory Council and its significant role in joining the private sector and policymakers together on united trade and economic strategies. She also provided the general schedule of meetings throughout the year. The discussion identified the main themes for 2023 — “interconnected, innovative, and inclusive”. Whaley also offered “technology” and “sustainability” as key subthemes to look forward to this year. Lastly, the speakers shared some opportunities on how to get involved as local communities such as media, diasporas, NGOs and businesses, and district governments in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.
We've captured the event on video and will be sharing it here and on our YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
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PHOTOGRAPHS
Speakers line up for a photo: Margaret Conley, Larry Greenwood, Monica Hardy Whaley, Kurt Tong.
Innovator, Groundbreaker, Advisory Council and Board Members enjoy a reception to meet and greet speakers prior to the public program.
Innovator, Groundbreaker, Advisory Council and Board Members enjoy a reception to meet and greet speakers prior to the public program.
Margaret Conley delivers opening remarks and introduces speakers in front of a packed conference room.
Jack Wadsworth presents opening remarks.
Larry Greenwood provides a background on APEC's history and introduces speakers.
A packed audience pays close attention to the discussion by Larry Greenwood, Monica Hardy Whaley, and Kurt Tong.
Monica Hardy Whaley presenting remarks during the moderated discussion.
Kurt Tong delivers remarks during the moderated discussion.
Speakers and ASNC group pose for a group picture: Margaret Conley, Ken Wilcox, Jack Wadsworth, Larry Greenwood, Monica Hardy Whaley, Kurt Tong, and Nathalie De Spiegeleire.