Officials from 20 economies get insight into Apec meet

ABOUT 272 delegates from 20 Apec economies were given a final walkthrough yesterday on preparations for the leaders’ summit next month.
They visited APEC Haus, Jackson Airport and the media centre at the Aquatic Centre.
Apec Coordination Authority chief executive Chris Hawkins told delegates inside the leaders’ meeting room at Apec Haus – which is on the first floor overlooking the sea – that there would be 70 media pools during the leaders’ meeting sessions.
“When the media comes inside, we will reposition the media pool,” he said.
“This room has got a lot more space than some other rooms that we have utilised over the years.
“The biggest I can recall is 40 media: Two from each economy.
“We will get more than that.
“It will be fairly democratic so that each economy will get the same number of media pool positions.
“If we can get 60 or 70 media pools, that would make sure that there three passes from each economy.”
Hawkins said after the leaders’ meeting opening comments, no one would be in the room except the leaders.
“The media leaves after the opening comments,” he said.
“The only additional person is the Som (Senior Officials Meeting) chair of the year.
“Leaders need this space for a good conversation with each other.
“There is never an opportunity for people to come into the leaders’ meeting.
“This is a very strict leaders-only room.”