Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will lead the Malaysian delegation to the 23rd Asia-PacificEconomic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), which will be heldin Manila, the Philippines, tomorrow and Thursday.

The 23rd AELM will be chaired Phillipines President Benigno S Aquino III. It is preceded by the Nov 13-14 27th Apec Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM).

At the Leaders Retreat Sessions on Nov 19, the leaders from 21 Apec economies will deliberate Apec’s 2015 priorities as outlined by the host, the Philippines.

Under the theme 'Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World', discussions will focus on two sessions: (I) Inclusive Growth through Integrated Economies; and (II) Inclusive Growth through Sustainable and Resilient Communities.

In Retreat I, the leaders will discuss the vision for regional economic integration against the backdrop of the Asia Pacific economy, given that the respective economies have different levels of development and domestic policies.

Actions to address income disparity

At Retreat II, the leaders will focus their discussions on human and societal dimensions of Apec work such as actions to address income disparity and inequity, access to food, water and other issues.

Najib is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts at the margins of the summit, to discuss bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

The AELM, an annual summit, is regarded as one of the major platforms to discuss regional economic cooperation, trade and investment to simultaneously strengthen bilateral relations among member economies.

Established in 1989, Apec’s three main objectives are to develop and strengthen the multilateral trading system; to increase the interdependence and prosperity of member economies; and to promote sustainable economic growth.

Najib will be accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, International Trade and Industry Minister II Ong Ka Chuan and senior officers from the relevant ministries and agencies.

- Bernama