1. APEC Japan 2010 Economic Leaders’ Meeting

2. Prime Minister Kan’s Visit to the G20 Seoul Summit

3. The First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions

4. The Aichi-Nagoya Ministerial Meeting of the REDD+ Partnership

5. COP10 to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

6. ASEAN related Summit Meetings

7. The PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting

8. The Eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 8)

9. Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)

1. APEC Japan 2010 Economic Leaders’ Meeting

APEC Japan 2010 Economic Leaders’ Meeting: Leaders Adopt “The Yokohama Vision” Laying the Path for the Future of APEC

   During the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held in Yokohama between November 13 and 14, 2010, the Leaders discussed the themes of regional economic integration, growth strategy, human security, and the future of the Asia-Pacific region. Based on these discussions, the Leaders’ Declaration, “The Yokohama Vision – Bogor and Beyond,” was adopted. The Vision lays out paths toward APEC becoming a more “economically-integrated community” that promotes stronger and deeper regional economic integration, a more “robust community” with a higher quality of growth, and a more “secure community” that provides a more secure economic environment.

   Specifically, Leaders endorsed the Report on APEC’s 2010 Economies’ Progress Towards the Bogor Goals, and agreed to take concrete steps toward the realization of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) in order to further promote regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region, thereby achieving a more “Economically-integrated community.” To this end, Leaders confirmed that an FTAAP should be pursued as a comprehensive free trade agreement by developing and building on ongoing regional undertakings, such as ASEAN+3, ASEAN+6, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), among others. In addition, they formulated the first comprehensive and long-term growth strategy for the Asia-Pacific region, the APEC Leaders’ Growth Strategy, to be implemented toward 2015 with the aim of realizing a more “robust community.” Leaders also agreed to safeguard human security through an initiative to build a more “secure community,” focusing on food security, disaster management, infectious disease preparedness, anti-corruption, and counter-terrorism efforts, etc.

   During the meeting, Mr. Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan, exerted leadership as the Chair, making clear his determination for the further “opening” of Japan. He stated that Japan would pursue additional liberalization of its economy to support the efforts of APEC members for regional economic integration. In doing so, he sent a forward-looking message conveying Japan’s intent to move toward growth together with the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, which has demonstrated remarkable economic development. The stance of Japan was of great significance as APEC members worked to concretely set the course of action toward the realization of an FTAAP. Going forward, APEC members will take concrete steps to realize “The Yokohama Vision.” The Vision, announced this year, will be passed on to the next APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the United States, where it is expected that the Vision will take on an even clearer shape and bring about intended results.