55th ANNUAL DIALOGUES SUMMIT OF THE PACIFIC BASIN ECONOMIC COUNCIL
Managing Uncertainties:
Sustainability Economy Growth in the Age of Complexity
November 22-24, 2022
Watch sessions here:
The 21st century dawned upon a horizon gleaming with expectations of peace and global prosperity. It wasn’t long, however, before political and economic uncertainties cast worrisome shadows upon our hopes. It is unfortunate that despite a few good years in between, it is still the case in mid-2022 that the world faces likely its biggest economic challenge so far this century. This whilst the global pandemic lingers on especially in Asia Pacific whilst the conflict between Russia and Ukraine rolls on. All this happens in the shadow of tackling an even more worrying growing issue and that’s the deteriorating health of the global economy, environmental disasters and climate change. COP26 in Glasgow was only concluded last November 2021, but it already feels the commitments made there which fell short of expectations have been cast to the side due to other priorities taking center stage. The Indo-Pacific Region as a descriptive label has reemerged in Geopolitical speeches, formerly the Pacific Rim, now the most vibrant and active region in the globe, has not remained unaffected by the onset of these turbulent issues. Meanwhile, revelations of Governments and Businesses colluding and irregularities at the highest levels have constituted a rude awakening to Asian business leaders to address their own corporate governance standards and accountability and spurring them to re-establish their leadership and regain the public’s and shareholder’s trust. Businesses are operating on ‘high alert,’ to address and combat climate change, be more transparent and be seen to facilitate solving local social issues in the communities in which they serve and operate. Taking better care of their staff due to the Covid crisis is also causing some issues as bosses expect all employees to return to the office. Leaders are looking for clues to the future from here through 2035 when the first carbon neutral targets start taking full affect.
Some rays of light, though, have penetrated the cloud cover. New technologies have proven themselves to be thriving during the Covid pandemic, in many ways it accelerated board decisions to transition to a digitally enabled economy at a lot faster pace than was anticipated, allocating substantial investment to achieve that goal. Globalisation has been under attack for several years but Covid showed the weaknesses of this mantra, especially in the current global supply chains system combined with the mistrust and strategic competition emerging between the US and China. This has amounted to National Security policy now fully encroached into Economic policy of many nations. Some by defacto have been asked to pick a side. Digitally savvy enterprises have been expanding their business opportunities at a dizzying pace, but in the past few weeks and months, tech stocks on both sides of the Pacific have been hammered for different reasons. We would be wise to remind ourselves that the Indo-Pacific remains the most populous and fastest growing part of the world despite an array of daunting challenges. In short, this region will require a unique kind of leadership from the next generation coming through, with the ingenuity to identify and transform untapped and underutilized opportunities.
The 55th PBEC Annual Dialogues Summit will focus on bringing the principles of this type of leadership to the fore. The summit will also provide a platform for key business and government leaders to enter a dialogue of rich diversity and explore strategies that address the compelling need of a cooperation and collaborative efforts in an increasingly age of complexity for all who call the Indo-Pacific Basin their home.
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 (All times are in HK/SG Local – +8 GMT)
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
0820-0840 Registration & online networking
0840-0845 Sponsor’s content
0845-0925 OPENING REMARKS & KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
- MC Call to Order – Photo taken
- 0845: Welcoming Remarks
- Chairman Andrew Weir MA, FCA, FHKSA, FIOD, MBE, JP, Regional Senior Partner & Vice Chairman KPMG China
- Vice Chairman Dr. George Lam BBS, JP Chair of ESBN & President, Hong Kong-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Foundation
- 0900: Opening Keynote Addresses
- Tan Sri Dr. Rebecca Sta Maria Executive Director APEC Secretariat
- 0910: Ms. Laura Lane Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer at UPS, and Co-Chair of APEC Business Advisory Council -ABAC 2023 USA
0920-0925: MC –Chairman thanks speakers & officially opens the Summit
0930-1100 PLENARY SESSION I
“APEC & G20 Updates: New dimensions of connectivity in the Asia Pacific – Sustainable Economic priorities”
Moderator: PBEC Chairman Andrew Weir MBE, MA, FCA, FHKSA, FIOD JP
Speakers:
Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee Former Commerce & Energy Minister Thailand, PM Advisor, Chair of TNPECC & Khon Kaen University Council Member (Bangkok, Thailand)
Matt Murray – U.S. Senior Official for APEC at the U.S Department of State (USA)
Stephen Jacobi Former Executive Director 2021 ABAC – APEC Business Advisory Council & Member of RCEP Business Advisory Council. Host of ABAC I Meetings in February 2023 (Auckland, New Zealand)
Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum President of the East-West Center, Former Major General in the US Army (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA)
Andrew Ure Director of Public Affairs APAC & Lead on Regional Development SE Asia for Google (Australia)
The dew is barely dry from COP26 Glasgow and APEC2021 New Zealand it seems, yet it feels like a lifetime away. Much has changed in 2022 under APEC2022 Thailand’s Chairmanship, G20 Indonesia, ASEAN Cambodia & Egypt’s COP27. The global economic outlook is tenuous at best, politics and markets are in transition. The Covid pandemic, the conflict between Russia & Ukraine, the increasing frequency of climate calamities and rising inflation effecting costs of energy and food security have all played a role in this year being one to forget in a hurry. The current political and economic uncertainties raise serious questions about the future course of action that both businesses and governments should be undertaking. No one wants to be having to pick a side in Asia, but that is what the IPEF – Indo Pacific Economic Framework Agreement seems to be indicating. On the bright side, RCEP became operational from 1st January 2022. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) data from the first quarter of 2022 show that China trade with member countries expanded 6.9 percent year-on-year to RMB 2.86 trillion (approx. US$448.6 billion). RCEP allows China to further leverage its trade potential to secure greater market access in the region. Key beneficiaries include mechanical and electrical product segments, the e-commerce industry, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, the USA are pushing back which is causing an increasing inward and protectionist focus and national debt to substantial increase as a percentage of GDP to prop up currencies and economies artificially which is compounding the risk of default.
This session will explore projections of what lies ahead in the region’s economies and ongoing precarious geopolitical landscape.
1100-1115 Break
1115 -1245 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS I
“Unchained Global Sourcing – Charting a New Course in Asia Pacific”
Moderator: Anson Bailey PBEC Board of Director. Partner, Business Development at KPMG China | Head of Consumer & Retail ASPAC | Head of Technology
Speakers:
Professor Neale O’Connor – Head of Dept. Monash University Malaysia. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
William Klein – Consulting Partner FSG Global & Former U.S. Senior Official in China (Berlin, Germany)
Regine Picard Regional Head of Lead Logistics, A.P .Moller – Maersk (Hong Kong SAR)
Peter Liddell KPMG Global Operations Centre of Excellence Leader Supply Chain, Procurement, Operational Excellence (Melbourne, Australia)
Anna Lin, PBEC Board of Director, CEO GS1 HK (Hong Kong, SAR)
Asian businesses regularly assess their operational capacity needs on an ongoing basis. Trying to predict their future resource requirements. It’s been a bumpy recovery in 2022 year to date as corporations try to recalibrate post-pandemic. It is crucial to understand what brought us to this point and where it is likely leading us in an increasingly complex and geopolitically charged environment. The Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) jointly together with Monash University & KPMG AsPAC recently published a report called “Unchained Global Sourcing – Charting a New Course in Asia Pacific” – our esteemed panelists will share their latest thoughts and views on managing supply chains, sourcing patterns emerging from covid-19 and disclose some recommendations on how to navigate these choppy waters. What do policymakers, business leaders and investors need to be aware of when planning, in an ever-increasing complex & risk adverse environment.
1350-1400 SHORT FILM – INDIGENOUS CULTURE, ECOLOGY & SUSTAINABILITY BY SARAWAK TOURIST BOARD
1400-1500 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS II
- Managing Conservation & Water Scarcity in Asia and the Pacific
Moderator: Dr. Parag Agarwal Janajal Founder & CEO & PBEC member (Singapore)
Speakers:
Yasmin Siddiqi Director Central West Region Water Sector Group ADB (Manila, Philippines)
Dr. Myo Zin Nyunt Deputy Regional Director for East Asia & Pacific UNICEF (Bangkok, Thailand)
Katharine Cross Strategy and Partnerships Lead, Australian Water Partnership (Australia)
Berenice Voets Adjunct Fellow, Sustainability & Independent Consultant ESG, Asia Business Council, (Hong Kong SAR)
Water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population increase. According to the UN, approximately one-third of the world’s population currently lives in countries or regions, which are experiencing, moderate to high water stress. By 2025, it is estimated that two-thirds of the world’s population will be under stress. The World Bank states that dwindling water supplies are already a major factor inhibiting economic growth. How can businesses and governments in the region best cope with the growing reality of water scarcity, ocean pollution and mitigate against its negative impact on economic growth? Whilst overall conservation efforts are being affected by a lack of funding and attention that it deserves. What needs to happen and how can we get the messaging out there? Is universal educational curriculum on these topics the answer?
1515-1830 1 : 1 DIALOGUES FROM AROUND THE REGION
- “Success Stories: Winning in the Indo-Pacific Market”
In these 5 separate concurrent sessions which will be split into 30 min sessions, business leaders will share their perspectives in overcoming the current economic challenges and providing some recommendations for their own economies and sharing their core competencies. These dialogues will highlight best practices, advantages of operating in the respective markets listed & capitalizing on investment opportunities with forward-looking growth strategies/predictions in today’s APAC market.
1515-1555L Session A -Hong Kong SAR – Chaired by Ben Simpfendorfer Partner Oliver Wyman, Joined by: Stephen Phillips Director General InvestHK & FamilyOfficeHK & Diana Chou Founder & Chairman DGA Group
1600-1630L Session B -Australia – Chaired by Deborah Biber PBEC Board of Director, CEO AustCham ASEAN & Joined by Dr. Brendan Rynne Partner and Chief Economist KPMG Australia (Confirmed)
1631-1700L Session C Singapore – Chaired by Sharad Somani Regional Head Infrastructure KPMG (Singapore). Joined by: Michael Walsh PBEC CEO
1701-1730L Session D Malaysia– Chaired by Vijay Poonoosamy, PBEC Corporate Member, Director International and Public Affairs of QI Group, an Executive Board Member and Chairman of the Aviation Group of World Tourism Network (Malaysia) & Joined by Adlin Yusman Managing Director Endeavor (Malaysia)
1731-1800L Session E – Vietnam – Chaired by Warrick Cleine Chairman and CEO KPMG Vietnam (Vietnam) & Joined by Michael Kokalari VinaCapital Chief Economist (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
1801-1830L Session F India – Chaired by Ritesh Kumar Singh Chief Economist on India & Columnist at Nikkei Asia (India) & Joined by Niraj Sharan Managing Director of Aura Industrial Systems. (India)
Wednesday, November 23, 2022 (All times are in HK/SG Local – +8 GMT)
0800-0845 BREAKFAST DIALOGUE on HK & Macao-ASEAN opportunities with PBEC senior leaders
Dr. Lee George Lam BBS, JP PBEC Vice Chairman, Chair of ESBN & President, Hong Kong-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Foundation (Hong Kong SAR)
Lester Garson Huang SBS, JP PBEC Board of Director, Council Chairman of the City University of Hong Kong, Partner & Co-Chairman of PC Woo & Co. Chairman of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee of the HKSAR Government & Non-Executive Director of the SFC Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR)
Anthony Chan CEO Isola Capital (Hong Kong SAR)
0845-0850 Break – Sponsors Content & grab your coffee
0850-0950 PLENARY SESSION II
“Challenges for Female Leadership in an Era of Uncertainty & Complexity”
What keeps today’s top female Founders & Leaders awake at night? What should the dialogue between business, academia and politicians be like these days? In this session, prominent leading women in business will discuss the unique challenges now being observed and brainstorm the kinds of strategies they will need to confront future challenges in a swiftly changing economic environment. Some may argue covid and the rise of conservatism and an identity crisis has detracted further progress on gender equality progress made in the years leading up to covid. Promises to be an interesting dialogue.
Moderator:
Jeanne Lim – Co-Founder & CEO of BeingAI (Hong Kong SAR)
Speakers:
Lei Yu CEO QBE Group North Asia & Regional Head of Distribution Asia Pacific, Awarded: Elite Woman 2021 by Insurance Business Asia (Hong Kong SAR)
Angela Joo-Hyun Kang Founder & Executive President Global Competitiveness Empowerment Forum (GCEF) & Co-Head of South Korean Delegation W20 Indonesia (South Korea)
Dephy Oon – Founder, CEO & Master Coach, Paddee Connexions & Dell Women Entrepreneurs Network Advisory Council & Chapter Lead (Malaysia)
Irene Chu KPMG China Partner – Regional Leader of Inclusion & Diversity Council (Hong Kong SAR)
1000-1100 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION III
- What’s happening in the Oceania region? (Viewpoints from New Zealand, Hawaii USA, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, and French Polynesia)
Moderator & Speaker: Celeste Connors CEO Hawaii SDG Local2030 Hub & Senior Adjunct Fellow at East West Center (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Speakers:
Danny Burrows – Co-Founder & Principal Trade-Worthy (Australia)
Vincent Dropsy Managing Director at French Polynesia University & Chair of French Polynesia FPTPECC French Pacific Territories Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (French Polynesia)
The latest economic & trade conditions for potential investors will be shared, we will hear from local experts, financiers, entrepreneurs/NGO leaders and what milestones/recommendations they are hoping for and to see action on in the coming months and years ahead in the region. As all these countries heavily rely on tourism and are severely affected ecologically, with affects from climate changes occurring more regularly and more intensely. We will hear about the latest situation and efforts on that front and to attract visitors back in a sustainable fashion. What are some of the new opportunities/trends emerging in commerce and ongoing regional/economic concerns that lie ahead for achieving resilient economic growth and an environmentally friendly recovery? Are their concerns being heard at such forums and by regional trading partners?
1100-1145 Morning Break
1145– 1245 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS IV
- “Managing the Cost of Energy: Ensuring Security of Supplies in a Volatile World”
Moderator & Speaker: Steven Bartholomeusz Head of Public Affairs APAC AT Neste (Singapore)
Speakers:
Sarah Fairhurst – INED Equis Development Pte Limited (Singapore) (Confirmed)
Zia Nariman–Senior Investment Officer Asia-Pacific Climate Lead, Infrastructure IFC – International Finance Corporation (Singapore)
The recent volatility in energy prices has served as a reminder that energy and natural resources are key variables of the global economy. Indeed, the competition for non-renewable natural resources is intensifying – with four-fifths of the world’s oil reserves lying in the politically combustible Middle East and Eastern Europe. In this session, a number of views will contribute to an active discussion of how much is still left to do for renewable and clean energy to take up the slack and eventually replace fossil fuels. What does future hold for this critically important industry sector during these tumultuous times.
1250-1315 PLENARY SESSION IV
- Make it Happen in the Philippines
Keynote Presentation on the Philippines
By Sabin Aboitiz Chairman Aboitiz Group & Chair of ABAC Philippines
Joined by Miguel Aboitiz PBEC Board of Director, Director of Aboitiz & Co., Aboitiz Power, DDLS and AB Capital securities.
Sabin M. Aboitiz is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aboitiz Group of Companies, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with interests in energy, banking, food, real estate, infrastructure, construction, technologies, data science and artificial intelligence.
Outside the Aboitiz Group, he holds positions in various business and socio-civic organizations in the Philippines and abroad, including Lead Strategic Convener of the Private Sector Advisory Council to the Philippine government, Co-Chairman in the APEC Business Advisory Council of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, member of the United Nations Global Compact Network Philippines Board of Trustees, and Steward of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism.
His creative and resourceful approach to employee engagement has earned him the Philippine Quill Award of Excellence for Communication Management, and his commitment to sustainability has led the Group to the frontlines of renewable energy in the Philippines.
Known for his passion for people and innovation, he is currently leading the Aboitiz Group on a ‘Great Transformation’ towards becoming the first Philippine techglomerate.
Miguel is an active board member of PBEC and is the former director of Aboitiz and Company, a Philippine conglomerate; Unionbank of the Philippines; and DDLS Philippines, an information technology training provider. Before retiring in 2020, he formerly worked for Aboitiz Power as Chief strategy officer and served on power, food and banking boards and committees for the Aboitiz group. This year we are delighted to put a spotlight on the Philippines. Miguel will provide a keynote presentation on the Philippines economy, opportunities for investors and what the Philippines business community within APEC priorities are. Sit back and watch this over a relaxing lunch.
1330-1445 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS V
- Latin America: Reconnecting and Re-engaging beyond the Covid Economic Crisis
Moderator: Michael Walsh CEO PBEC
Speakers:
Annabella Matute-Castro Commercial & Construction Lawyer & Political Analyst (Lima, Peru)
Manuel Quinimil Trade Lawyer American Chamber of Commerce (Peru)
Federico G. Lepe International Logistics Commission at GWTC -Guadalajara World Trade Center (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Thomas Wong Partner CW CPA Chief Representative Brazil-China Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong. A leading expert on Latin American e-commerce cross border trade. (Hong Kong SAR)
In the wake of a decade of free-market reforms and relatively stable growth thanks in no part to China with its increasing DFI interests over the same period, the region appears once again to be on the edge of facing a bit of a transition crisis stemming from Geopolitics in the Pacific to an urgent need for DFI to upgrade. Two years after the onset of the pandemic, 2022 began with some hopeful signs of economic recovery after the worst downturn in more than a century. But the scars of the crisis are still visible in Latin America and the Caribbean. Eliminating them will take time and effort. Poverty and inequality rose. Employment only partially recovered. Owing to the enormous efforts made to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on the most vulnerable sectors, governments exhausted their fiscal reserves, and debt and macroeconomic imbalances grew.
The region may need new impetus to energize the recovery which won’t be easy given the world economic outlook and inflationary pressures. Among the issues to be discussed in this session are: What is the near-term prospect of the region’s economy? What measures will effectively address its economic problems? Where do the negotiations on joining more Free Trade Area Agreements to boost production and attract capacity shifts away from China with its close proximity to US market?
1445- 1545 Afternoon Break:
1545-1645 PLENARY SESSION V – An Update from Business Leaders on Canada in APEC
Canada has been commercially engaged in the Asia-Pacific region for over 150 years. As a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Canada has been a crucial partner in shaping the Asia-Pacific region’s economic, trade, and development priorities. This has allowed Canada to engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions and negotiations in one of the world’s largest economic zones. However, despite a sizable and long-standing presence of the Canadian private sector in the region, there remains many untapped and unexplored business and trading opportunities for Canada with Asia-Pacific nations. This is an area where the country has yet to achieve its full economic potential. However, this potential may be realized in the years to come, given that Canada has recently reinvigorated its economic commitment to the region. This year alone, Canada has commenced or resumed free trade agreements with ASEAN, India, and Indonesia, and has recently allocated $333 million in funding as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy to deepen Canada’s presence. Canada and ASEAN are now comprehensive strategic partners – the highest tier of recognition for non-member countries. Canada has many strengths which well-position the neutral country as a strategic partner to other Asia-Pacific nations, including an abundance of core commodities, world class education and a highly skilled workforce, a cutting-edge technology sector driving innovation, and an openness to immigration and business. Given the recent trade shift away from China, the increased dependence on major agriculture and energy exporters such as Canada in light of the Russia-Ukraine War, and Canada’s deepening economic ties with countries in Southeast Asia, is Canada poised to exert more influence than ever before, and become a leading player in the Asia-Pacific? The panel will discuss, from a commercial perspective, Canadian opportunities as well as its strengths and the potential obstacles to achieving its Pacific Nation potential.
Moderator: David Armitage Founder & CEO Velocity Solutions Limited (Hong Kong SAR)
Speakers:
Wayne Farmer President Canada-ASEAN Business Council (Hong Kong SAR)
Patrick Bennett Executive Director, FICC Strategy, Global Markets CIBC – Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Capital Markets (Hong Kong SAR)
Todd Handcock Head of Governor’s Council The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR)
Thursday, November 24, 2022 (All times are in HK/SG Local – +8 GMT)
0830-0855 Register and network in the lobby
0900-1000 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS VI
Good Corporate Governance
Moderator: Stacey Chow Director and Business & Society Asia-Pacific Lead Brunswick Group (Hong Kong SAR)
Speakers:
Adelena Chong PBEC Board of Director, Managing Partner and Co-Founder Paddee Connexions, (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Dr. Jeanne Ng Chief Sustainability Director Blue Onion (New York, USA)
Christopher Leahy Managing Director, Specialist Advisor, Southeast Asia Blackpeak and ACGA (Hong Kong SAR)
Mei Lin Fung Chair The People Centered Internet (San Francisco, USA)
High-profile corporate failures and misdeeds across Asia and China have alerted the general public to the issue of good and bad corporate governance once again. Building on the work that has been done by PBEC on Services, Transparency and Traceability, this roundtable will provide participants an opportunity to exchange views on the responsibility of corporate officers and directors on best practices with respect to independence of directors, conflicts of interest avoidance, and lessons learned including latest legislation for corporates to be aware of.
1005-1105 PLENARY SESSION VI
Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model – Sustainable Finance & ESG standards
Moderator & Speaker: Pat Nie-Woo
Pat is a Partner at KPMG China, the Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practice in Hong Kong and the Global Co-Chair for Sustainable Finance for KPMG IMPACT. He also leads the Sustainable Finance practice in Hong Kong.
Speakers:
Max Song CEO Carbonbase (Hong Kong SAR)
Natalie Chung CESGA Sustainability Lead & Co-Founder V’Air HK (Hong Kong SAR)
Eli Konvitz Urban Development & Sustainability Expert (Hong Kong SAR)
Sustainable Development has been a key advocacy phrase used for several decades by PBEC and from the signing of the Kyoto Protocol followed by the Paris Agreement in 2015. Despite heightened awareness of these agreements’ significance and reinforced as urgent at COP26 2021, a unified approach to tackling environmental problems remains elusive, the 1.5-degree target doesn’t go far or fast enough when you look at just the BRIC’s economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa who’s own carbon neutral targets have been pushed out to 2060+ at this rate. Commemorating the relaunch of PBEC Environmental Award in 2022, varying views on achieving sustainable development will be presented in this session and participants will discuss the implications & opportunities for business from how to finance the transition, to discussing renewables, new technology, composite materials, urban planning to youth engagement.
1105-1120 IN CLOSING
- Conference Closing remarks & highlights from CEO Michael Walsh
- We hope to see you at the 56TH PBEC Dialogues Summit & Awards Dinner in November 2023 week of the 12th November, in San Francisco. USA.
Commendations received from Speakers and Delegates of our Annual Dialogues Summit 2022
“Thank you for expertly organizing this PBEC Dialogues event. I was very impressed with the quality of content & how you handled your role as MC whilst controlling the entire LIVE zoom event over 2.5 days simultaneously.” Miguel Aboitiz Director of Aboitiz & Co., Aboitiz Power, DDLS and AB Capital securities. (Philippines)
“Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to join an illustrious panel and prestigious event. Michael your energy and the knowledge shared by my fellow panellists was a great learning experience for me. We look forward to staying in partnership with PBEC and ADB stands ready to continue our cooperation.” Yasmin Siddiqi ADB Director, Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture Division Central and West Asia Department. (Philippines)
“Thank you, Michael for putting together this important session of water security and congratulations on delivering a wonderful event. Your efforts are most valued and appreciated. I continue to be an ardent supporter of PBEC and happy to participate in future activities more often going forward.” Dr. Parag Agarwal Janajal Founder & CEO & PBEC member (Singapore)
“A big congratulations on the successful conclusion of the PBEC Dialogues Summit. Well done indeed, the sessions I attended were excellent. Let’s get together in the not-too-distant future for a lunch.” Sebastian Man Chairman and CEO of Chung Mei International Holdings Limited (Hong Kong SAR)
“Thank you once again for the opportunity to join a stimulating & informative plenary panel this morning! Looking forward to continuing to work with you all at PBEC on these important issues.” Stephen Jacobi Executive Director, APEC Business Advisory Council Alternate (New Zealand)
“Thank you everyone, it has been a pleasure to discuss those challenging issues facing female leaders in today’s world. Your wisdoms are truly inspiring, I was honoured to be part of this esteemed panel. A massive thanks to Michael for putting together these 2 days of virtual roundtable dialogues – amazing speakers! Love to be connected to this expert and diverse group of people.” Lei Yu CEO QBE Group North Asia & Regional Head of Distribution Asia Pacific, Awarded: Elite Woman 2021 by Insurance Business Asia (Hong Kong SAR)
“Thanks so much for giving an opportunity for Zbee and me to meet & greet this insightful panel of inspirational female leaders. Wishing PBEC the best in all the great work you’re doing! Lets stay in touch, Zbee is happy to learn and help out where needed.” Jeanne Lim – Co-Founder & CEO of BeingAI (Hong Kong SAR)
“Thank you very much for inviting me to this very enriching and lively discussion. In particular, it confirmed the fact that us islanders can help each other in leading the way towards achieving the UN-SDGs, or even better, the newly coined acronym RDG’s that we heard at your annual PBEC summit perhaps for the first time. There is an open invitation to PBEC to pay us a visit here in Tahiti on route to APEC 2023.”
“We will also keep PBEC informed about President Macron’s plans to hold a “One Planet (or Island) Summit” in Tahiti in late 2023, perhaps before/after attending the APEC meeting in San Francisco in the week of the 12th November 2023.
Last month in Tahiti, I was fortunate to meet with Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, French Ambassador for the Poles and Maritime Issues and special envoy of the French President to prepare for that event.”
https://www.presidence.pf/le-president-recoit-lambassadeur-olivier-poivre-darvor/
Vincent Dropsy Chair of the PECC committee in French Polynesia (FPTPEC) & Professor of Economics, Codirector of the Center for Tourism Studies in Oceania and the Pacific (CETOP) at the University of French Polynesia (UPF).