APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting: The Inside Scoop

welcome to the 30th annual Finance Ministers’ Meeting in San Francisco! I’m so stoked to be here and chat with all of you. This meeting is a big deal, you know, because the Asia-Pacific region is where all the action is happening in the global economy. APEC members are like the rockstars of the economy, driving growth and innovation like nobody’s business. So, what we do here today is super important, not just for our own countries but for the whole world.

The United States has been totally pumped to host APEC this year and we’ve had some epic meetings all across the country. We’re all about that coordination and collaboration, you know, because it’s crucial for our economies to work together and make things happen.

Now, let’s talk about the real deal – finance and fiscal policies. These are like our superpowers, and we’re here to use them for good. That’s why we’ve made the Finance Ministers’ Meeting a part of APEC Economic Leaders’ Week this year. It’s been a game-changer, especially after all the craziness with COVID-19. We’re refocusing on the long-term goals we set back in 2015, like building strong economies and making sure we’re ready for whatever comes our way.

Today, we’re diving into some key topics. First up, we’re getting the lowdown on the global and regional economic and financial outlook. Then, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of modern supply-side economics, sustainable finance, and digital assets. Let me break it down for you.

Modern supply-side economics is all about boosting our economies, making them stronger and fairer. We’re talking about policies to get more people working, beef up our infrastructure, and invest in cool stuff like research and the environment. We’ve been checking out what APEC members are doing in this area, and it’s been pretty eye-opening.

Next, sustainable finance is a big deal. We’re all about making the switch to clean energy and cutting those emissions. We’re figuring out how to fund this transition and support the folks who need it most. There are some awesome partnerships in Indonesia and Vietnam that are leading the way, and we’re keen to hear what everyone else is up to.

We’re also getting into the nitty-gritty of voluntary carbon markets and climate-aligned finance. It’s all about making sure we’re putting our money where our mouth is when it comes to fighting climate change. We’ve got some cool principles for net-zero financing and investment, and we’re all about making sure everyone’s on the same page.

Last but not least, we’re talking digital assets. This is some cutting-edge stuff, like crypto-assets and digital currencies. We’re exploring the benefits and challenges of these new financial tools and how to regulate them. It’s a whole new world, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.

Look, I know this all sounds like long-term stuff, but it’s urgent. We’ve got to boost our economies, protect the planet, and embrace new tech – all while keeping things safe and fair. It’s a big job, but we’re up for it.

Thanks for being here and for all the hard work you’ve put in this year. Let’s keep the momentum going and make some real progress. Our economies, our people, and the whole world are counting on us.

Alright, let’s get this show on the road! I’ll hand it over to my team to sort out the boring stuff, and then we’ll dive into the good stuff.