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MESSAGE MESSAGE
2018 is a special year for the APEC Voices of the Future. It is also Papua New Guinea’s first-ever hosting of this very
dynamic regional group as we celebrate the APEC Voices of the Future’s 20th anniversary since its inception in Malaysia
two decades ago. This is a remarkable journey, that sets forth to bring together young people of the Asia-Pacific to be
in a conversation of a wider scope of networking and most importantly, prosperity for our region’s future.
The Voices of the Future journey is a story designated by the principles of APEC as a means of developing friendships,
to learn from best practices and experiences, and to give opportunities to prosper. Papua New Guinea’s APEC 2018
Policy theme of Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future, is one that entails youth-friendly
dialogues, that the unheard are heard, that the young voices reach out to the masses. APEC is a catalyst of great minds
coming together, to connect, and to build a region of seamless trade, through policy interactions and dialogue, and
develop friendships to give each of its twenty-one (21) economies the opportunities of growth, inclusivity, sustainability,
and economic empowerment.
In the twentieth year of the APEC Voices of the Future, Papua New Guinea is looking forward to ensure that the
young people of the 21 APEC Member Economies are greatly enabled to notice how important trade is as a tool
for development.
I believe they will be the future of the APEC, giving hope and opportunities, for the Asia-Pacific to be the jewel of
the world.
Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu, OBE
2018 APEC SOM Chair
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It is my pleasure to welcome you to Papua New Guinea, this year’s host of the 2018 APEC Leaders’ Summit. As
APEC Voices of the Future delegates, you will have the opportunity to participate in the APEC CEO Summit, which is
an important platform for summit leaders to discuss critical issues and engage in interactive dialogue to formulate
policies that promote sustainable and inclusive growth.
The APEC theme for this year, “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future” seeks to drive
APEC’s collective work on growth and connectivity, and brings to the fore discussions on the digital future that APEC
beyond 2020 can embrace. This year, in line with the overarching APEC theme, ABAC adopts the theme “Digitization
and Innovation – Advancing Social Harmony”, with the 2018 work program focusing on the five priorities: accelerating
regional economic integration, sustaining, developing and deepening inclusive growth opportunities, creating
opportunities for MSMEs to prosper, strengthening the financial systems to secure stable growth, investment and
inclusiveness, breaking barriers to enrich society by advancing technology.
We live in an interconnected world. It is through coordination and open markets between APEC Member Economies
can we reap the benefits of regional economic integration. The digital age also provides many growth opportunities
that businesses and economies can leverage on; however leaders must ensure that the infrastructure and human
resources can keep up with the times, which also includes the development of future-ready skills.
Young people like yourselves play an important role in APEC’s vision for the future. I hope that you will seize the
opportunity to learn as much as you can from the APEC and business leaders and from your fellow APEC Voices
delegates. Help create the future of the region with your enthusiasm and energy. You are the future of APEC and
the world.
Once again, a warm welcome to Papua New Guinea. I wish you a fruitful and unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
David Toua
Chair, APEC Business Advisory Council 2018