His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is expected to participate in the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) from November 18-19 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The AELM will be chaired by Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha as the APEC chairman for 2022.

During the meeting, the leaders are expected to attend a royal audience with King of Thailand His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana; and to attend a dialogue with several guests of the chair: Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; and French President Emmanuel Macron.

During one of the AELM sessions, the APEC economic leaders will also hear a briefing from the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the 2022 Global Economic Outlook. This year’s APEC will be conducted physically.

Brunei Darussalam is one of the 12 founding member economies when APEC was first established in 1989.

APEC began as an informal forum at the senior officials and ministerial level, for member economies to discuss and improve trade and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since 1993, the AELM has been held annually to improve the strategic vision and direction for cooperation.

This year, under the APEC 2022 theme of ‘Open. Connect. Balance.’, discussions will focus on facilitating open trade and investment; improving the business environment; advancing regional economic integration; and restoring connectivity in the region by resuming cross-border travel.

Discussions will also focus on reinvigorating tourism and the services sector; facilitating business mobility; increasing investment in health security; and ensuring economic goals are inclusive and sustainable.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin