A delegation of officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry visited the southern city of Arequipa —one of the venues for the APEC 2024 meetings and where two prior gatherings will be held— to begin preparatory coordination for the event with authorities from local and regional governments plus universities.

The team was made up of Ambassador Carlos Chavez-Taffur, Chairman of the APEC Peru 2024 Presidency Working Group; and Minister Renato Reyes Tagle, Director of APEC and Specialized Forums.

Ambassador Chavez-Taffur announced that two meetings prior to the summit will be held in Arequipa in February and May 2024.

As is known, Peru will host the APEC Forum for the third time. Previously, it hosted these summits in 2008 and 2016.

The diplomat explained that the meeting of Deputy Finance ministers and Central Banks will take place in February 2024.

Later, the meeting of APEC senior officials who will participate in some 60 meetings for about two weeks will be held in May.

Meetings with Asia-Pacific ministers

The working sessions will end with meetings between ministers of Foreign Trade and Tourism and of Women and Vulnerable Populations, with the purpose of seeking measures that contribute to women’s empowerment.

It will be the first time that APEC holds a joint session of State ministers from its member economies.

Arequipa will once again be in the spotlight given the hosting of activities that will bring together officials, businesspeople, and visitors from various continents.

Why was Arequipa chosen as host city?

The diplomat said the southern Peruvian city of Arequipa was chosen as one of the APEC venues because it has adequate infrastructure to welcome large event participants, as well as rooms and auditoriums for holding seminars, assemblies, and meetings.

Thus, the delegation’s visit also included a tour of Cerro Juli Convention Center, where APEC meetings will take place.