During 23-25 August 2024, Mrs. Salinee Phonprapai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs and Thailand APEC Alternate Senior Official, attended the 3rd APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (APEC SOM3/2024) and related meetings in Lima, Peru, to discuss APEC 2024 progress under the theme “EMPOWER. INCLUDE. GROW.” with a view to connect trade and investment, and promote sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth for all.

At SOM3, Thailand followed-up on the implementation of the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy, one of the key deliverables during its host year in 2022. This year, there are 381 APEC initiatives/projects that are advancing the Bangkok Goals implementation, which is an increase of about 100 initiatives, compared to the previous year. 84 percent of these initiatives support addressing all environmental challenges and progressing sustainable trade and investment in APEC.

Member economies also noted Thailand’s update on the progress of the 2024 APEC BCG Award, of which winners will be announced at the APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) this upcoming November. Thailand also exchanged views on APEC 2024’s priorities including the transition to the formal economy and global economy, the new look at the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), as well as digital transformation and new innovation models.

On the margins of SOM3 during 11-25 August 2024, 28 meetings of committees and working groups, and 3 sectoral ministerial meetings on health, energy, and food security, were successfully organised. Key deliverables adopted during this cluster include the APEC Policy Guidance to Develop and Implement Clean and Low-carbon Hydrogen Policy Frameworks in the Asia-Pacific and the Trujillo Principles for Preventing and Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the Asia-Pacific Region.

APEC SOM3/2024 will pave the way for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) scheduled to take place during 15-16 November this year.