APEC leaders ‘strongly condemn terrorism’

Leaders and representatives from the 21 member-economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) had their official family photo taken on November 19, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center for the Philippine hosting of 2015 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Manila. (Photo from APEC 2015)

MANILA – In their joint statement at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the 21 world leaders condemned the recent terror attacks in France, Lebanon and in a Russian airplane. They then called for increased international cooperation and solidarity among nations.

“Under the shadow cast by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and against Russian aircraft over the Sinai, and elsewhere, we strongly condemn all acts, methods, and practices of terrorism in all their forms and manifestations,” the world leaders or representatives of member-economies said in the statement.

“We stress the urgent need for increased international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism,” their statement continued.

At the end of the two-day APEC Leaders’ Meeting, the economic leaders stressed the gains of lowering trade barriers, facilitating investments, and integrating economies. They also asserted the link between economic growth and terrorism.

“We will not allow terrorism to threaten the fundamental values that underpin our free and open economies … Economic growth, prosperity, and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization,” the leaders’ statement further read.