Leaders from 21 APEC member economies met in San Francisco to discuss advancing sustainability, just energy transitions, and building inclusive and resilient economies. The meeting concluded with a joint declaration reaffirming commitment to addressing the concerns and aspirations of the Asia-Pacific region. President Biden highlighted the progress made in the Indo Pacific Economic Framework, announced the launch of the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative, and emphasized the need to ensure that digital technologies like artificial intelligence are used to uplift people. Peru, the host of the next APEC meeting, aims to promote equity between men and women and empower women in economic development. The APEC summit highlighted the commitment of APEC economies to decarbonization and the importance of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing in achieving sustainable and low-carbon growth. The leaders' pledge in the Golden Gate Declaration reflects their determination to create a resilient and sustainable future for the region. [113403d2]
The Asia Pacific Enterprise Achievement Award 2024 (APEA Award 2024) Presentation Ceremony was successfully held on 21 March 2024 at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel. The event celebrated the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of companies and organizations from various industries. A total of 13 companies were selected as winners from a pool of numerous participating organizations. The winners include AB Capital Investment Limited, Algogene Financial Technology Company Limited, Capstone 72, Combined Women’s Specialist Clinic, Dermamier Skin & Laser Centre, IX Capital International Limited, OptiFocus Technology Co., Limited, Original Intention Hong Kong, Telefield Medical Imaging Limited, The Meliora Group Limited, and Wowwowtank Co Limited. The award aims to encourage outstanding businesses and community leaders across different sectors to uphold their innovative spirit and steer their industries forward through top-notch products and services. The event was organized by Echolade, a brand of Pulse Radar Limited. [33fada50]
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has been honored with the President's 'E Star' Award for Export Service. This is the second time the association has received this recognition, with the first being in 2019. The 'E Star' Award is given to individuals, firms, or organizations that significantly contribute to increasing U.S. exports. IAPMO was recognized for its work in promoting international plumbing standards and expanding the availability of quality plumbing products to Indonesia through the Indonesian Plumbing Manufacturing Coalition (APIN). Since receiving the 'E' Award in 2019, IAPMO has launched the Increase the Flow of Plumbing Exports to Asia initiative, which aims to formalize plumbing product markets in Asia and utilize U.S.-developed international standards. The plumbing sector in the U.S. is a $112 billion industry that employs over 500,000 people and exports to 198 markets. Increasing U.S. plumbing exports is crucial for the sector's future growth. [3cdaa1da]
The NJ Department of State's New Jersey Business Action Center's (NJBAC) Office of Export Promotion (OEP) has received the President's 'E Star' Award for Export Service Excellence. This is the second time in six years and third overall that the office has received the award. The award recognizes the office's noteworthy export promotion efforts. The award was presented by Diane Farrell, the United States Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, at a ceremony in Washington, DC. The OEP has provided hands-on, detailed technical export assistance to small businesses in New Jersey, resulting in over $55 million of actual export sales and more than 1,100 jobs created or retained over a two-year period. The OEP works with small and mid-sized companies interested in expanding sales and their customer base through export. It also provides financial awards to eligible domestic New Jersey small businesses new to export or currently selling goods and/or services to other countries. The OEP will host 19 New Jersey companies at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. The NJBAC executive director, Melanie Willoughby, expressed pride in the OEP's accomplishments and the guidance they provide, especially to New Jersey companies new to exporting from underserved and underrepresented communities. [637ebc0b] [7e142cb0]
The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) has received the 2024 E Star Award for Export Service, conferred by the President of the United States. This is the top honor that a U.S. entity may receive for supporting America's exports, and NUSACC is the only Chamber of its kind to receive this award since it was created 55 years ago. NUSACC has served as a two-way commercial bridge between American exporters and investors and their counterparts in the Arab world for over five decades. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo acknowledged NUSACC's achievements in contributing to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs. NUSACC has also launched a digital, blockchain-based certification platform that expedites commercial documentation, making a major difference for U.S. exporters. The Chamber is officially recognized and authorized by the Arab League and the Union of Arab Chambers and is widely regarded as the voice of American business in the MENA region. [4ac73ec8]
UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) are launching the 'Regional Policy Dialogue and Launch of the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development' in Bangkok from June 5 to 7, 2024. The event aims to promote education that advances peace, human rights, and sustainable development. The central feature of the event is the Asia-Pacific launch of UNESCO's 'Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development,' which was endorsed by all Member States during the UNESCO General Conference in November 2023. The event will gather government officials, policymakers, educators, civil society representatives, and youth advocates to discuss the Recommendation and collaborate on incorporating it into national educational strategies. The event will feature interactive panel discussions and aim to impact over 60% of the world's population residing in the Asia-Pacific region. [65935077]