In the lead up to the APEC Leaders meeting in November, the APEC Study Centre will be hosting a conference in an effort to influence public policies for APEC economies.
The APEC Study Centre Consortium Conference, ASCCC, officially launched its call for papers on Monday.
According to PNG NRI Director, Dr Osborne Sanida, ASCCC organisers plan to package the outcomes from this conference, which will be submitted to APEC Leaders.
With Papua New Guinea hosting APEC this year, the APEC Study Centre will be hosting a conference in the lead up to the APEC Leaders’ Summit.
The overall APEC 2018 theme is “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing Digital Future”.
The ASCCC will examine this theme, with a focus on an increasingly connected region.
According to PNG NRI Director, Dr Osborne Sanida, the ASCCC will focus on the four sub-themes of;
1. Regional economic integration and connectivity
2. Structural reform and competition
3. Digitization, and
4. Innovation and technology
” We will discuss what is necessary and relook at what is best to put up for consideration,” said Dr Osborne Sanida – PNG NRI Director
Dr Sanida also said that the ASCCC aims to move away from being a traditional speaking conference, to one that will inform policies for Papua New Guinea, as well as other APEC economies.
” It is not limited to academics but for the wider community. And we must aim to have tangible outcomes,” said Dr Osborne Sanida – PNG NRI Director.
For the APEC Papua New Guinea Secretariat, outcomes from the ASCCC will be critical in steering the conversation in the lead-up to the APEC Leaders meeting in November.
“We hope that that our studies are put forward to garner interest,” said Lahui Ako – APEC PNG Director General.
Mr Ako added that the ASCC is also an opportunity for Papua New Guinea to learn from other APEC economies who have had similar experiences.
