Minister participates in APEC Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto van Kalveren, accompanied by the Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, Claudia Sanhueza, participated today in the plenary session of the Joint APEC Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministers' Meeting.

In this meeting, titled "Enabling an innovative environment for a sustainable future and affirming an equitable and inclusive future for all," the Minister noted that sustainability is one of the central axes of Chile's foreign policy. In this regard, he pointed out that the country has been a driving force behind the "Americas for the Protection of the Ocean" coalition, which seeks to establish a network of marine protected areas from Canada to Chile, and that in 2022 it ratified the Escazú Agreement, which promotes access to information, participation and justice in environmental matters.

In the area of ocean conservation and environmental protection, the minister said that APEC has played a key role in Chile's foreign policy. "Our efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as well as to address marine debris and plastic pollution, have been well received and are being implemented by all APEC members through the 2 Roadmaps approved during the 2019 APEC Summit in Chile," he said.

And internally, he indicated that a Climate Change Financial Strategy had been launched, "which provides tools and policies to manage financial instruments to achieve our environmental goals and carbon neutrality by 2050".

The Minister also stated that Chile is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through the implementation of innovative strategies in food production, efficient resource management and improving our climate resilience. For example, he mentioned that a policy for sustainable agriculture has been adopted, which places a strong emphasis on environmental protection, social equity and economic viability.

"Our commitment is to leave no one behind, protect the environment, and foster inclusion through digital technologies. We firmly believe that APEC will continue to play a key role in fostering discussions, collaboration and collective actions that address the challenges we face as a region," concluded the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Previously, he participated in a dialogue on the perspectives of indigenous peoples in the regional exchange with Undersecretary Sanhueza.