Page 17 - APEC 20 Anniversary Book_v12_Neat

1998 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1999 Auckland, New Zealand

VOICES OF THE FUTURE: NEW ZEALAND’S APEC YEAR

THE EARLY YEARS

The APEC Leaders’ Meeting in New Zealand was held in Auckland, New Zealand in September
1999. Under New Zealand’s leadership, growth through strong and open markets were
The economic leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
strengthened to ensure that full potential for improved economic and social well-being was
(APEC) met in Kuala Lumpur in November 1998 with a renewed
achieved. The meeting also welcomed more active participation of women and businesses in
resolve towards creating a prosperous Asia-Pacific community where
the APEC’s work.
economic disparities among people are bridged by strengthening the

Leaders from the 21 APEC Member Economies foundation of our economies for growth, providing the environment
gathering for the official group photograph necessary for the efficient flow of trade, investment and technology
during the APEC Leaders’ Week 1998 in During the APEC Leaders’ Meeting, APEC
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. and by enhancing the capacities of our economies to participate and
benefit from liberalization. Leaders also adopted the APEC Y2K 100 Days
Cooperation Initiative to intensify cooperation

THE INAUGURAL VOICES in response to the potential Y2K threat. Leaders
agreed to share information and expertise about
OF THE FUTURE PROGRAM the Y2K impacts on critical infrastructure during
and after the date change.

The growing number of Voices of the Future
Young people in the region are an important asset and therefore it is
delegates were provided an excellent opportunity
critical to create opportunities and platforms for them to engage policy
to learn and discuss about the potential threats
makers and business leaders on issues that may concern them and their
Y2K brings and the damages it will cause to
future. The Voices of the Future was created in 1998 during the APEC
businesses that would affect their lives.
Leaders’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia based on this belief.

Organised under the banner of the Virtual Trade Mission (VTM)
Foundation, a group of student leaders from five APEC Member Economies

participated in the first-ever Voices of the Future program. The inaugural
program was developed in coordination with APEC Business Advisory
Council (ABAC) Malaysia and H.E. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, The
Dialogue with H.E. Tun Dr Mahathir
Honorable Prime Minister of Malaysia. The Voices of the Future students Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia,

were provided with many opportunities to interview and interact with APEC during the APEC Voices Summit in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Economic Leaders, APEC Senior Officials and CEOs.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister. H. E. Jenny Shipley, invited the Voices of the
Future to continue and expand the program during New Zealand’s coming
Leaders of the 21 APEC Member Economies gathering for the official group
APEC host year. photograph during the APEC Leaders’ Week 1999 in Auckland, New Zealand.

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