APEC Senior Officials' Report on Economic and Technical Cooperation 2024

Economic andTechnical Cooperation 2024APECSENIOR OFFICIALS’REPORTON ECONOMIC AND TECHNICALCOOPERATION SOM Steering Committee onEconomicand Technical Cooperation November2024 © 2024APEC Secretariat APEC#224-ES-01.3ISSN: 0219-8932 Cover photo:Solar Power Project by VŨ NGUYỄN TRẦN/ APEC Photo Contest 2024 ReportContents Letter from the SCE Chair.........................................................................................................................2Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................31.Introduction...........................................................................................................................................62.A Year in Review………………………………………………………………………………...…….63.Priorities and Achievements................................................................................................................94.SCE Fora in Action.............................................................................................................................345.Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………80 Annexes Annex1:2024Report of the APEC Secretariat Executive Director on Fora Work: Alignment,Synergies, & Implementation of the Putrajaya Vision 2040 including through theAotearoa Plan of Action.....................……………………...……………………………….1-1Annex 2:SCE Standardised Sub-fora Assessment Recommendations (Phase I, II and III) …..………2-1Annex3:AbbreviationsandAcronyms................................................................................................3-1 Letter from the SCE Chair I am honoredto present the 2024 Senior Officials’ Report on Economic and Technical Cooperation. This reportreflects the collective efforts of our member economies to foster sustainable growth, resilience, and inclusivityacross the Asia-Pacific region, guided by Peru’s 2024 APEC host year theme of “Empower. Include. Grow.” The 2024 theme underscores our shared commitment to empowering communities, fostering inclusion, andpromoting sustainable economic growth that benefits all. These principles are embodied in the accomplishmentsand deliverables of the SCE and its sub-fora,which are outlined in this report. Together, we have made notableprogress in advancing the goals of APEC’s ECOTECH agenda, as articulated in the ECOTECH Medium-TermPriorities, the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, and the Aotearoa Plan of Action. Throughout 2024, our focus has been on empowering individuals and businesses to build capacity, enhanceresilience, and seize opportunities in a dynamic global economy. Our capacity-building initiatives have centeredon equipping our economies to address pressing challenges, including digital transformation, climate change,and public health threats. This report highlights concrete outcomes of the efforts we have made to create anenvironment for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Reflecting our commitment to inclusion, this report also sets out the actions we have taken to ensure that thebenefits of economic growth reach all sectors of society. Through a range of efforts, from promoting genderequality to supporting small and medium enterprises, the SCE and its sub-fora have made strides in creatingpathways for traditionally underrepresented groups, including those in the informal economy, to participatefully in the formal and global economy. Inclusivity remains at the core of our shared vision for the Asia-Pacificregion. Another key priority for us has been to foster sustainable, long-term economic growth to achieve prosperityacross the region. By working together across different areas such as green technology, clean energy—includinglow-carbon hydrogen—and sustainable practices, we seek to ensure that economic progress goes hand in handwith responsible stewardship of our resources, contributing to robust yet environmentally sustainable economicgrowth. This report further emphasizes the essential role of partnerships and stakeholder engagement in advancing ourgoals. APEC’s success is built upon the contributions of its stakeholders, and the report underscores theimportance of collaboration in achievingour objectives. The spirit of cooperation continues to shape ourapproach to economic and technical cooperation in the region. As we look ahead, I am confident that the momentum generated in 2024 will keep us moving forwardto addressthe evolving challenges and opportunities facing the Asia-Pacific region. Empowerment, inclusion, and growthwill remain our guiding lights as we work together to build a more resilient, prosperous, and inclusive future. I extend my sincere appreciation to all APEC member economies, the SCE sub-fora, Chairs and Lead Shepherds,Peru as our 2024 host, the APEC Secretariat, and all stakeholders for their steadfast commitment to our sharedgoals. I look forward to productive discussions and cooperation that will emerge from the insights in