Leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific economies are turning Lima, Peru, into a hub of high-stakes diplomacy this week as APEC2024 kicks off. The goal? To keep the region’s economic engine roaring—fueled by collaboration, not competition. 🚀
Trade Boom: From K-Pop to Crypto
Since APEC’s 1989 launch, intra-regional trade has exploded from $3 trillion to a staggering $30 trillion by 2022. That’s like BTS going from a rookie group to global superstars—times a billion. 📈 Analysts say this growth, which outpaces global trends, hinges on one word: openness.
Why This Meeting Matters
🌐 Digital trade rules are on the agenda—think TikTok shops and crypto payments.
🤝 Supply chain resilience post-pandemic (no one wants another ‘ship stuck in the Suez’ moment).
💡 Green tech partnerships to tackle climate challenges while boosting economies.
Peru’s President highlighted the stakes: \"Our choices now will decide if the Asia-Pacific remains the world’s growth lab or fragments into trade blocs.\"
