Regional tensions and armed conflict are never good for economic development. So even if the economy is the focus of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, keeping the region peaceful cannot be separated from efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and the 2015 APEC summit’s goals of building inclusive economies for better lives.
The Asia-Pacific now accounts for nearly 50 percent of world trade and about 57 percent of global GDP. Several of the APEC economies have achieved enormous growth and prosperity, rising dramatically from the ashes of World War II and bloody civil strife. This was made possible by several decades without a major war in the region. Rapid development also followed post-war agreements among nations to play by internationally accepted rules of conduct on a wide range of issues, from fair trade to the environment as well as humanitarian and security concerns.
Today 21 APEC leaders are holding their annual summit in Manila with security issues out of the official agenda. It is the second time for the country to host the summit. Unlike the first time in 1996, tensions over maritime claims and freedom of navigation have become overriding concerns. The recent deadly attacks launched by the Islamic State in Paris have also given urgency to global cooperation against terrorism. While security matters are not on the official APEC agenda, they are expected to be taken up at bilateral or so-called pull-aside meetings among certain leaders on the sidelines of APEC.
Discussing security matters is unavoidable among those who understand that economic activities thrive best in a stable, peaceful neighborhood. Regional cooperation is inevitably strained by disputes among certain members. If APEC is to be an effective forum for economic cooperation, efforts to promote freer trade and inclusive growth must take into consideration the security element. Security matters cannot be kept out of the table if APEC is to remain dynamic and responsive to the region’s needs.