We need to come together as a nation for Apec

A TOTAL of 21 world leaders, including Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, will meet in Port Moresby next week.
There will never be such an opportunity again for perhaps another 20 years.
All this started from a nomination in October 2013 by O’Neill and the endorsement it received is an indication by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation of its confidence in PNG as an independent nation and a regional partner with good standing and influence.
Apec is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific region.
The 21 member economies aim to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.
Apec ensures that goods, services, investment and people move easily across borders.
Members facilitate this trade through faster customs procedures at borders; more favourable business climates behind
the border; and aligning regulations and standards across the region.
Already, several high-level meetings have been held which saw senior officials from other member economies visiting the country and participating actively in the meetings held in various venues in the county’s capital and other centres.
The outcome so far has been impressive, with positive feedback of a successful Apec year in PNG.
We are learning from other member economies who are bringing their experience and ideas into the PNG cultural context.
Apec is taking our people closer to markets beyond our borders.
Apec meetings are where discussions take place with business and political leaders and through those interactions contacts are made, which may lead to contracts.
There will also be transfers of knowledge and techniques. The values to these we cannot give.
Worth mentioning is the development currently taking place in Port Moresby.
Many disagree with the concentration of development in the capital city and they are entitled to their opinion. However, despite those many critics, the moment of truth has arrived for PNG to show national posture and give hope to our people, instill investor confidence and the belief that we will benefit from this Apec meetings.
It is an initial step to that still far-off dream but we will get there.
We hope to have a better story in the not too distant future.
We used to stand behind our country when it comes to national events.
As in past years, wherever people congregated to celebrate, there were spectacular shows of unity in a diversity of colours, songs and dances.
Now is the time to stand together and showcase what we have.
It is time to promote tourism activities which will also affect our rural people.
Showcasing PNG will stimulate investment.
We have resources.
Let us appreciate and embrace what will transpire next week.
We have come this far since the announcement in 2013 so let us all stand together to lift our game to a higher level.
We need to embrace and grab the opportunity for greater change with objective responsibility and trust.