Ministers responsible for women and ministers responsible for trade from the 21 APEC member economies issued a joint statement following their meeting in Arequipa, Peru on 17 May.

The statement reflects the outcomes of their first-ever joint meeting, co-chaired by Angela Teresa Hernandez, Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations of Peru, and Elizabeth Galdo, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru.

Ministers affirmed their support to enhance women’s participation and leadership in regional and global trade, recognizing that women’s access to markets, technology, capital and assets, skills and capacity building will contribute to the inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ministers will continue fostering conducive environments to allow more women to be integrated into regional and global trade. They will also promote capacity building program to increase women’s resilience and competitiveness.

View the Joint Statement of APEC Ministers Responsible for Women and Ministers Responsible for Trade.