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APEC ministers vow to enhance human security

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-21 10:00

LIMA -- APEC foreign and trade ministers reaffirmed their commitment on Thursday to protect human security amid such concerns as terrorism and natural disasters.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade pose for an official photo during the 20th APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting in Lima, November 19, 2008. [Agencies]

"APEC member economies must do all that they can to prevent the devastating human and economic costs of terrorism, proliferation of of weapons of mass destruction ... natural disasters, communicable diseases, climate change and unsafe food and products," said a joint statement released by the ministers after a two-day (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) APEC Ministerial Meeting in the Peruvian capital.

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The leaders condemned all terrorist acts as criminal and unjustifiable, particularly the repugnant acts of suicide bombing and hostage taking.

The statement noted the deadly earthquake in China's Sichuan province in May that left nearly 90,000 dead or missing, underlining the importance of building community and business resilience to natural disasters and other emergencies.

The ministers called for multi-year projects aimed at facilitating and accelerating the recovery of disaster-affected areas of member economies. Meanwhile, the ministers recommended leaders to issue a strong statement on climate change, calling for "substantial and concrete action" as outlined in the Bali Plan of Action to cut greenhouse emissions and fight climate change.

The 20th APEC Ministerial Meeting started on Wednesday to make final preparations for the APEC Leaders' Meeting this weekend. A total of 3,600 delegates, including 19 leaders and 55 ministers, from APEC member economies are expected to attend the Leaders' Week that began on November 16.

Established in 1989, APEC groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, China's Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.