Opening Remarks by H.E. Mr Katsuya Okada,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
at the APEC Japan 2010 Symposium

9 December 2009
Japanese

Good Morning. I wish to extend a heartfelt welcome, in particular, to the guests who came all the way from abroad to Tokyo . Today, Japan has effectively kicked off its chairmanship of the 2010 APEC with this symposium. I am delighted to have this valuable opportunity to deliver the opening address.

As Foreign Minister of Japan, which will be chairing APEC in 2010, I have started to think creatively and discuss seriously with various people to figure out what Japan can do to make APEC a more effective forum that can strengthen cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region and further build a sense of solidarity among its members.

APEC was established twenty years ago. Since then, the international community and global economic affairs have experienced various changes that were little anticipated at the time of APECs foundation. As globalization and mutual interdependence have dramatically advanced, we can clearly see its grave impact on countries' economies and societies as well as on their people's livelihood. It is obvious that no single country can control its own fate alone. I believe that now is the time for us to reconsolidate the relevance of APEC so that it can be a framework capable of addressing the challenges faced by the region in the 21st century.

My motto is "Great talents mature late." APEC is equivalent to a 20 year-old adult, if it were a human being. The next year is the target year for reaching the Bogor Goals for developed economies in APEC. I believe that we need to pause and look back on the path APEC has travelled. By doing so, APEC will be able to unlock its potential as a truly relevant forum to further the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century, based upon the accomplishment thus far.

The theme for APEC Japan 2010 is "Change and Action." This suggests that we should develop the necessary "change" of policies for APEC and put them into concrete "action" so that APEC will continue to play a leading role.

Seeking "change" does not mean we deny achievements and progress that APEC has made so far. Japan will make sure that it will build upon the discussions from the Singapore APEC. The Bogor Goals have played a leading role like a compass for furthering the core agenda of APEC, which is promoting "free and open trade and investment." The industrialized economies of APEC are targeted to achieve the Bogor Goals by 2010. As chair for APEC 2010, it is Japan's primary mission to advance the assessment process of the Bogor Goals with transparency and credibility in picturing the future APEC. Under the Bogor Goals, we should study not only what the developed economies have achieved but also what they failed to accomplish , which would enable us to discuss what kind of goals we should aim for at the next stage. Again, Indonesia's foresight and its strong leadership in setting the Bogor Goals should be commended. Building upon this basis, I would like to discuss what route APEC should take down the road.

Keeping in mind that we will formulate a mid-to-long term growth strategy,, we should deepen discussions on how to sustain the energy coming out of the dynamic Asia-Pacific region with continuous economic growth, and how to harness or release this energy to further the growth within the entire region.

When it comes to Regional Economic Integration, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) has strongly proposed that the negotiations of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) be initiated. In concretizing the concept of FTAAP, we should put into perspective economic partnerships that are being developed in various forms within the region and figure out how to bundle them. Japan, as chair of 2010 APEC, will listen carefully to the voices calling for a common recognition that aims at a free trade agreement forthe APEC region, and will exert leadership in discussing "exploring a range of possible pathways to achieve economic integration of the Asia Pacific," which was instructed by the APEC Leaders in Singapore. I am pleased to note that U.S. President Barack Obama announced during his recent visit to Tokyo that the U.S. would engage in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP initiative has a close linkage with the economic partnership in the APEC region, and is something in which Japan has a high interest and will consider ways to be involved in the future.

It is extremely important for APEC to deliver a message that Asia-Pacific is a stable region with and in which to do business while ensuring the dignity of people and communities. Japan intends to make every effort to achieve concrete outcomes regarding human security in various fields, such as food security, disaster preparedness, and public health. Economic and Technical Cooperation (ECOTECH) should also be further enhanced to achieve the equitable economic growth of the region.

"Change for change's sake" and "action for action's sake" are not what we should pursue. But why don't we attempt to discuss APEC Reform in a rather bold manner? It would be important to avoid duplication, and to do the work more effectively to achieve easy-to-follow outcomes.

When I attended the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Singapore last month, I felt the high expectation of the APEC members towards Japan as the chair for APEC 2010, and how Japan will address the various challenges that APEC is facing. I am determined to do my utmost to ensure Japan's successful Chairmanship of APEC 2010, building upon the achievements made by Singapore, and handing over the baton smoothly to the U.S for APEC 2011.

The APEC Japan 2010 symposium, held today and tomorrow, have brought together experts from various walks of life, including the business sector and academia. I believe this gathering will give participants an opportunity to conduct a free and vigorous discussion on the future of APEC. The topics for discussions may range fromthe future image of the Asia-Pacific region to concrete results useful for the daily lives of the people . This symposium should be considered as an extremely significant event for the APEC 2010, where discussions will be conduted in line with the theme "Change and Action."

I hope this symposium will serve as a meaningful starting point not only for the Japan APEC but toward a bright future for the Asia-Pacific region. As a crew member of the "APEC Ship," I would like to enjoy a wonderful voyage, first of all, and will make efforts to draw up a chart for the course that APEC should take, with the help of insights and cooperation from various people, and make the next year a truly fruitful one.

In conclusion, I would like to wholeheartedly wish you an enjoyable and productive stay in Japan.