Page 32 - APEC 20 Anniversary Book_v12_Neat

2009 Singapore

SINGAPORE’S APEC YEAR

The APEC Leaders’ Week 2009 was held in Singapore with the theme, “Sustaining Growth, Concerning the Region”.
The Singapore’s APEC year focused on overcoming the economic crisis, exploring ways to foster growth that is both

inclusive and sustainable in the post-crisis economic landscape, upholding and strengthening global multi-lateral
trading systems by resisting protectionism, and facilitating trade, easing burdens on doing business within and
between member economies and increasing the connectivity and efficiency of supply chains. Rafael Hinojosa Abrego, Head of the Mexican Terrence Joseph Clifford, Head of the Canadian
delegation with President S.R. Nathan. delegation interacting with the President.

In conjunction with the APEC Leaders Week, the Voices of the Future 2009 brought over 120 young leaders from
18 APEC Member Economies to Singapore to engage with APEC Leaders, foreign and trade ministers, senior
government officials and business leaders on a myriad of APEC-relevant issues.

Voices delegates with President S.R. Nathan and
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community
Development, Youth and Sports at the Istana.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Panelists from left: Predeep Menon, Executive Voices delegate from Australia fielding a
Community Development, Youth Director and CEO, Singapore Indian Chamber question for the panelists.
and Sports, interacting with the of Commerce and Industry, Ho Kwon Ping,
Voices delegates. Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings
Limited, moderator Rahayu Mahzam and
Lawrence Kim, Managing Director, Ebenezer
NDT Services. The opening ceremony of the Voices of the Future was graced by H.E. Dr Vivian
Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development and Sports. The keynote speaker
was Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings Limited and Chairman,

Singapore Management University. The event was followed by a panel discussion.

One of the highlights of the Voices of the Future event was the visit to Istana, which

means ‘Palace’ in the Malay language and is the official residence of the President of
the Republic of Singapore. The Voices of the Future delegates were warmly welcomed
by H.E President S.R. Nathan at the State Room where they interacted with the
Leaders from the 21 APEC Member
Economies gathering for the official President on various topics close to their hearts.
group photograph during the APEC
Leaders’ Week 2009 in Singapore.

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