WELLINGTON, Nov 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, on addressing the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Voices of the Future 2021 event, accepted the APEC youth declaration in her role as APEC 2021 Chair.
The annual youth event brings together 18 to 24-year-olds, to discuss significant issues facing the region. “As APEC leaders we must always look forward, and make decisions with the next generation at the centre,” Ardern said.
“Our region stands in the face of monumental and unprecedented challenges, whether it’s the ongoing management of COVID-19, or the action required of us all, to combat climate change,” she said, adding that, young people must continue to be both included and lead the debate about the future.
Ardern also noted, she wants to acknowledge the work of young people around the region, in joining together to produce a declaration that projects a vision of hope for the future.
“Today’s Declaration to APEC Leaders clearly contains many creative and insightful ideas for us, as APEC leaders, to consider, in order to respond to the concerns of nearly one billion young people around the APEC region,” Ardern said.
The Voices of the Future youth event takes place annually, during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and this year, for the first time, all 21 APEC economies were represented, with the online event generating the largest turn-out in the event’s history.
The delegates heard from a wide range of speakers on the event’s four key themes – international cooperation to combat COVID-19, the digital future, a greener future, and a future for all – before presenting their vision in a formal Declaration.– NNN-AGENCIES
