Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) said in a declaration on Saturday that the 21-member bloc will support and strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system.
The declaration added that the leaders of the group recognized the need for more intensive efforts to address challenges such as high inflation, food security, climate change and natural disasters.
Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) pledged to support and promote a rules-based multilateral trading system, while most members expressed "condemnation" of the war in Ukraine.
The statement stressed the need for "a long-term commitment to promoting strong, balanced, secure, sustainable and inclusive growth."
The leaders welcomed the "development of the free trade area in the Asia-Pacific region" and affirmed their determination to "achieve economic recovery and strengthen preparedness systems for future crises," as well as "support and strengthen a rules-based multilateral trading system."
French President Emmanuel Macron had warned, at the start of the summit, on Friday, that an increasing number of countries were being placed in a position that had to choose between Beijing and Washington, considering that this was a "grave mistake".
Source: agencies