APEC Leaders’ Meeting 2024 (Session III) (Summary)

The third session of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting (Topic: Advance APEC’s inclusive economic agenda, and the relevance of APEC in the midst of current global challenges) was held in Lima, Peru, on November 16, from 9:00 a.m.local time (11:00 p.m. JST on November 16) for approximately 3 hours, chaired by H.E. Dina Boluarte, President of the Republic of Peru. Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan attended the meeting. The overview is as follows.

1. Prime Minister Ishiba stated the following three points, to which Japan attaches importance, to realize inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

(1) Firstly, promoting the use of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI). To achieve the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT), Japan attaches great importance to formulating international rules through international frameworks. Japan also emphasizes its works towards the early conclusion of the electronic commerce negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO), of which Japan is a co-chair, and its works to implement and expand the “Hiroshima AI Process.”

(2) Secondly, the energy transition towards achieving decarbonization. In terms of responding to the climate change issues, it is important to achieve energy transitions through various and practical pathways, taking into account different domestic and regional circumstances.Japan will continue to accelerate the decarbonization of Asian countries through the Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC), and will ensure economic growth and energy security and make efforts to achieve energy transition, decarbonization, and net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

(3) Thirdly, promoting the reduction on food loss and waste in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan set a goal of halving food loss by 2030 compared to 2000, and has successfully achieved it in 2022. In Japan, the public and private sectors work together to support the development of cold chain systems and to reduce food loss at the distribution stage in the Asia-Pacific region.

2. As for the regional affairs, Prime Minister Ishiba stated that Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine is a clear challenge to the international order based on the rule of law, and Japan is seriously concerned about the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Mr. Ishiba emphasized the necessity to realize a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. He also expressed his deep concern over the rising tensions and humanitarian crisis in the Middle East andstrongly insisted that all concerned parties exert maximum restraint and comply with international law, in particular international humanitarian law.

3. Prime Minister Ishiba concluded his speech by expressing his determination to continue to work closely with the ROK, Chair of APEC 2025, and each APEC economy and contribute to realize their shared vision (the APEC Putrajaya Vision).

4. At the end of the meeting, to summarize all the discussions, a APEC Leaders’ Declaration and a Chair's Statement on the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and other issues were released.

5. Many participating Leaders stated that they support Peru’s initiative toward formulating “Trujillo Principles for Preventing and Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the Asia-Pacific Region” and “APEC Policy Guidance to Develop and Implement Clean and Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy Frameworks in the Asia-Pacific.” They also stated that actions toward climate change and the use of AI are necessary for sustainable growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Leaders reaffirmed their support for APEC’s contribution to realize sustainable and inclusive growth.