Peruvian president calls for cooperation, unity at APEC leaders' summit opening

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA) - Hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Friday called for stronger ties with the world’s leading economies as she inaugurated the event.

"We need greater collaboration and understanding and less fragmentation," said Boluarte during her opening remarks.

"Our summit can contribute today to strengthening multilateral cooperation in a context where the various challenges we are facing are increasing the levels of uncertainty regarding the immediate future."

The intercontinental summit brings together the 21 largest economies representing 60% of global Gross Domestic Product, with the final day scheduled for Nov. 16.

In South America, allies and rivals alike have gathered to share in the interest of mutual progress and development; in this framework, Boluarte has brokered meetings with outgoing US President Joe Biden as well as Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Boluarte emphasized the summit’s mission to foster unity.

"To move towards solid, balanced, secure, sustainable, and inclusive growth, it is crucial to conceive growth as an integrated process. The attributes of growth cannot be considered in isolation," she said.

This marks the third time Peru has hosted the APEC summit.

During the forum, Boluarte also held significant discussions, including a meeting with International Monetary Fund President Kristalina Georgieva, where she reaffirmed Peru’s commitment to economic stability.

"We understand economic formality as a gateway to integrate into a positive economic dynamic, which allows individuals to access basic social and labor benefits, promoting the enjoyment of rights that we in Peru are fully committed to," Boluarte added.