New Zealand is the host of the APEC CEO Summit of this year. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, delivered a speech in the opening ceremony, calling on political and business leaders to work together to achieve an equitable, inclusive and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed tremendous impacts and challenges on economy and social activities in the Asia-Pacific region and the wider world, Jacinda Ardern said. It’s imperative that all the people, including political and business leaders, should demonstrate their resolve, courage and innovative visions for transformation. She emphasized that governments and enterprises should continue to strengthen partnerships, foster the driver of digital innovation, invest more in renewable energy, and promote social inclusion, so as to lay a solid foundation for recovery in the post-epidemic era.

APEC is the highest-level, widest-ranging and most influential economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region. The APEC CEO Summit of the year took place both in person and via video conference, lasting for two days.