APEC Haus gets its first test run

By HELEN TARAWA and JACKLYN SIRIAS
THE APEC Haus at Ela Beach hosted its first two informal meetings yesterday when delegates of the third senior officials meeting (SOM 3) convened at the fascinating site.
Police ensured a tight security in and around the building.
Chief executive officer of Apec Coordination Authority Chris Hawkins was among the first to be in the building to ensure things were in order.
He told The National that although the Government had not taken official possession of the building, it was part of the testing and trial of the building.
“We are testing the facility so that we get a lot of information about what works and what can be improved ahead of it being used by leaders,” Hawkins said.
“We want to make sure everything is absolutely perfect.
“It’s important we test everything from the wi-fi to the meeting rooms, access points, drop-off points.
“All these key things that make a difference to whether the leaders’ series of meetings will go smoothly or not.
“We have our experts from PNG and overseas who are very familiar with what’s needed to make this building work the best it can for the high-level meetings.”
Hawkins said APEC Haus was a PNG project developed with leading resource company Oil Search.
It was built by a 98 per cent PNG workforce in a short period of time.
“It’s such an engineering feat the way they have built it,” Hawkins said.
“Such an outstanding building, beyond world class.
“It’s come a long way since a few years ago when Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Apec Minister Justin Tkatchenko and the architect sat in a workers’ lunch room with a pencil and a paper.
“The PM knew exactly how he wanted this building to be constructed to accommodate the Apec Leaders’ Summit so that it is functional and conducive to successful outcomes.
“It’s come a long way since , it’s an outstanding building.
“Everyone who comes in here is overwhelmed by what they are seeing.
“PNG can be proud of this building.
“It’s a legacy of Apec and will be used to house museum artifacts for generations to come.”
Police pledged to give their best in providing security throughout Apec Leaders’ Summit week.
APEC Haus venue commander Joseph Koi said this during the walk-through on Monday in the building that was conducted by Joint Security Task Force and Apec Coordination Authority.
He said the walk-through was to familiarise themselves with settings of APEC Haus before meetings started.