PEDROSA TAKES OVER FROM REBECCA AS APEC SECRETARIAT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

From M. Saraswathi

LIMA (Peru), Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Eduardo Pedrosa was today appointed as the APEC Secretariat’s executive director, taking over from Malaysia’s Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Sta Maria. 

Rebecca, who was formerly secretary-general of the Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Industry, has served at the Singapore-based secretariat for the past six years.

In a statement here today, APEC said Pedrosa, who is from the Philippines, brings extensive experience in engaging stakeholders in international organisations.

Before his appointment, he was secretary general of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), which provides policy advice based on the inputs of participants, it said.

“One of the most critical roles of the executive director is to lead with clarity, empowering the secretariat to reflect the breadth of APEC’s vision of ‘an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations’,” said Ambassador Carlos Vasquez, chair of the 2024 APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting.

He added that “a key priority for APEC this year has been assisting informal actors to transition to the formal and global economy.” 

According to Vasquez, the issues that APEC addresses have become broader, covering sustainable and inclusive trade, with a particular focus on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women, and Indigenous people.

“The rapid adoption of digital technology also presents both challenges and opportunities,” he continued. “This requires input from all elements of society.”

Vasquez also congratulated and thanked Rebecca Sta Maria for her excellent service, being one of the pillars of APEC in the past six years.

Meanwhile, Pedrosa said he is honoured to join the APEC Secretariat at such a pivotal juncture and look forward to working closely with the team to drive impactful outcomes that serve their mission and stakeholders.

He explained that one of the enduring values of APEC is its founding principles of economic cooperation and commitment to the multilateral system.

In his view, APEC’s ability to foster dialogue and promote best practices stands out as a vital approach to addressing regional challenges.

“One of APEC’s most significant achievements has been its acknowledgment of the varied needs of all stakeholders. It’s essential that we continue to ensure these efforts remain relevant and address modern challenges, from climate resilience to supply chain security,” he said.

Looking ahead, Pedrosa expressed hope that his leadership will further APEC’s vision as a forum that champions broad-based growth and inclusion beyond traditional trade initiatives. 

Pedrosa joined PECC as a director (policy program) in 2001 where he oversaw and managed the council’s research programme, including areas of trade policy, financial and monetary cooperation, and corporate governance.

He also was a co-editor of the book “An APEC Trade Agenda: The Political Economy of a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific” and contributed to “The ASEAN Community: Unblocking the Roadblocks” and “ASEAN: Life after the Charter”.

APEC is an intergovernmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim, promoting free trade across the Asia-Pacific region.

It represents nearly 40 per cent of the world’s population, almost half of global trade, and over 60 per cent of the global economy.  

Malaysia is one of APEC’s 12 founding members.

-- BERNAMA