APEC Photo-Competition Influencer and Popular Choice Award: Up in the Sky by Hung Do Ba from Viet Nam – Image: APEC/Supplied
Under the theme “Empower. Include. Grow,” the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, hosted in Lima, Peru, set a dynamic platform for dialogue among leaders, ministers and senior officials from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s 21 member economies. The weeklong event, which culminated in the adoption of the Machu Picchu Declaration, underscored APEC’s commitment to fostering inclusive, innovative and sustainable economic growth in the region.
Peru’s Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Teresa Mera, announced the winners of the annual APEC Photo Contest at the 35th APEC Ministerial Meeting. The APEC Secretariat received a total of 1,800 submissions from 17 different economies. The photos illustrate the region’s journey toward sustainable and clean energy for a brighter and prosperous future. The entries also reflect the public’s interpretation of the APEC Peru 2024 theme of “Empower. Include. Grow.” and the policy priorities focusing on trade and investment for inclusive growth, digital innovation, and sustainable and resilient development.
“Looking at the winning images, we can see that one of the top concerns in the region is addressing climate change and it remains to be a top priority for many APEC economies,” said Vice Minister Teresa Mera. “This aligns with our focus this year on promoting the transition to clean energy.”
“It is vital that economies strengthen cooperation to advance a sustainable, equitable, affordable, and inclusive energy transition. Together, we are working to build a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
APEC Photo-Comp First prize: Solar Power Project by Vũ Nguyễn Trần from Viet Nam – Image: APEC/Supplied
Winners of the Photo Contest were evaluated on their interpretation of APEC’s priorities, as well as composition, quality and creativity.
The Influencer Award was determined by the most attention received from the public through APEC’s Instagram account.
The first prize was awarded to the Solar Power Project by Vũ Nguyễn Trần from Viet Nam for his winning photo – a large solar power installation featuring workers clad in bright orange vests and Vietnamese traditional conical hats also known as Non La. The perfectly aligned rows of solar panels juxtaposed against workers performing maintenance captured the spirit of collaboration among APEC economies.
Third prize: Floating solar plant and smart farm by Gil Young from the Republic of Korea – Image: APEC/Supplied
Sustainability and resilience:
APEC-Leaders in Lima, Peru, welcomed a number of high-level deliverables including the Trujillo Principles for Preventing and Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the Asia-Pacific Region, the APEC Policy Guidance to Develop and Implement Clean and Low-carbon Hydrogen Policy Frameworks to support a green energy transition, as well as the Sustainable Finance Initiative.
Second prize: Igorot Tribesmen Growing Stronger with Solar Power by Jaime Singlador from the Philippines – Image: APEC/Supplied
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia spoke about how members are addressing common challenges in the Asia-Pacific, such as supply chain resilience, food security and climate change.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon discussed how members can make trade more inclusive and more understandable for the people.
Strengthening cooperation:
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the Asia-Pacific remains the world’s most dynamic and interconnected region. (NAN/APEC 09-12-24)
