平和
和平
평화
ASIA
26 March 2014
Vancouver

Asia-Pacific comes to Canada

We currently live in a 3-speed world. And the fast speed part, the Asia-Pacific, is coming to Vancouver this week for the PECC annual meeting.

Logon to follow our reports.

We currently live in a 3-speed world. And the fast speed part, the Asia-Pacific, is coming to Vancouver this week for the PECC annual meeting.

Logon to follow our reports.

The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) may be the most underrated international organization. In the eyes of some, it has been overtaken by APEC and outshone by the Asian Development Bank.

But that is wrong. Created in 1980, PECC is in reality a unique tripartite partnership of senior individuals from business and industry, government, academic and other intellectual circles. They get together in informal settings to discuss and formulate ideas on the most significant challenges facing the Asia Pacific.

This is critical for fostering peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region. A region where the potential for good things is unlimited. And where the risk of misunderstandings is unfortunately all too great.

To promote business, friendship and other cooperation, we must get together, and get to know each other better. And this is what we will be doing in Vancouver this week.

The annual get-together comes at a critical juncture for our Canadian hosts. The 2013 National Opinion Poll of Canadian Views on Asia finds that a majority of Canadians acknowledge the growing importance of Asia for Canada’s prosperity, but appear hesitant to act in the face of tough decisions about the future of Canada-Asia relations.

But delegates from all 26 member countries will be looking forward to the rich agenda which has been finely tuned to hit all the bases. Topics like Asia Pacific Trade Talks, Harnessing Asia's Massive Capital Pools, Creativity and Innovation, Inclusive Growth and Resilient Societies, Green Growth, Asia's Booming Middle Class, and many more.

A few sessions will have a special Canadian flavour, such as Canada's Role in Promoting a Stable and Prosperous Asia Pacific, and Canada's Contribution to Green Growth in the Asia Pacific.

A veritable bevy of international personalities will animate the discussions from Canadian Governor General David Johnston to Thailand's Narongchai AKRASANEE, Australia's Ian BUCHANAN, Canada's Don CAMPBELL, China's Dr. Cheung, Sun Life Financial's Dean A. CONNOR, Asian Development Bank Institute's Masahiro KAWAI, Korea's Sangkyom KIM, Canadian Council of Chief Executives' John MANLEY, Mitsubishi's Hideto NAKAHARA, Japan Institute of International Affairs' Yoshiji NOGAMI, China's Jiahua PAN, India's Rajesh SAWHNEY, Indonesia's Djisman SIMANDJUNTAK, to mention just a few.

A tailor-made program has been set for 30 graduate and post-graduate students from across the Asia-Pacific and Canada.

So if you can't join us in Vancouver for this important event, follow our reports on the web.

Author

John West
Executive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com
Tags: asia, PECC, Canada, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Vancouver, CanadAsia 2013

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