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The 19th World Economic Forum on East Asia ended today with participants underscoring the need for Asia’s leaders to take a bigger role in world affairs, including discussions on a global financial architecture and international trade. The region has recovered swiftly from the global economic crisis, but the challenges remain complex and connected, and Asia is still vulnerable to global risks.

“We talk about the shift of economic gravity towards Asia, but with greater economic reputation should come greater responsibility,” Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said. Six members of the G20 come from East Asia, so the issues that matter most to developing countries and the region in particular should be on the table in G20 meetings.

Among the list of a series of parallel discussions, topics and debates ranged from Asian regional integration, social safety nets and financial leadership in Asia. In particular, UNI Apro Regional Secretary, Christopher Ng, was invited as a panel speaker on the topic of “Emerging Green Collar Jobs and Green Entrepreneurship in Asia” where he shared the concerns of trade unions and workers regarding climate change and the impact on livelihoods and jobs and highlighted the need for businesses to ensure a sustainable development of the economy in a sustainable environment. He further called on the global business community to be bold to work in partnership with the global trade union movement towards the adoption of a set of Just Transition Framework based on the principles of equity and justice. He reiterated the need to ensure a job centred, effective social protection mechanisms and the reversal of global warming and environmental degradation.

For a summary of the speech, please click on related files above.