NOVEMBER 17, 2023

      FACT SHEET: President Biden Welcomes Asia-Pacific Leaders To San Francisco, Drives Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth at Home and Throughout APEC
       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      This week, President Biden welcomed government and business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific to San Francisco, California, for APEC Economic Leaders’ Week. President Biden highlighted how his efforts to grow the U.S. economy from the bottom up and the middle out have made the United States the preeminent driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific and are delivering results for American workers and families. Across the events of the week, President Biden took steps to deepen U.S. economic ties with key regional partners, support workers’ rights around the world, and advance his agenda for a more innovative, interconnected, and inclusive Asia-Pacific region.

       

      Driving Regional Growth and Dynamism

       

      The United States is the world’s leading global economy and an engine of growth and dynamism across the Asia-Pacific region.  Since the President took office, we’ve created 14 million jobs here at home—and more jobs in the first two years than any President in a four-year term. The United States has had 21 straight months of unemployment under 4 percent, for the first time in over half a century, and the economy grew by 4.9 percent in the third quarter of this year.  Our strong economy is driving inclusive and sustainable growth across the Asia-Pacific and catalyzing historic investment from the Asia-Pacific to support growth here at home.

       

      APEC Economies are Investing in America. President Biden’s economic policies, combined with deep economic ties with Asia-Pacific countries, are driving historic investments into the United States across key sectors. Companies based in the Asia-Pacific have announced almost $200 billion of investments into the United States since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, supporting tens of thousands of good new jobs for American workers.  Asia-Pacific companies have also contributed to one third of all major clean energy and semiconductors investments in the U.S. since the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act. This week, companies in APEC economies announced new investments into the U.S., such as a new facility in Michigan to produce batteries for electric transport and electrolysers to make green hydrogen, and highlighted recent major announcements, including multibillion-dollar semiconductor investments to improve U.S. economic resiliency and create thousands of jobs.

      U.S. Companies are Fueling Dynamism & Inclusive Economic Growth Across APEC. Over the course of the U.S. APEC host year, U.S.-based companies represented at the APEC Summit announced over $50 billion in new investments into the Asia-Pacific, including nearly $25 billion to increase digital connectivity; new subsea cables that will result in more than $1 trillion in GDP; 50+ new direct flights per week from the United States to APEC economies; significant investments in a wide range of sustainability and clean energy technologies; new training and opportunities for hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, underrepresented groups, and small businesses; and more than two dozen partnerships between U.S. companies and APEC-based universities on cutting edge technology.

      Charting the Next Chapter of Inclusive Regional Growth

       

      On top of these strong two-way investment flows, President Biden has pursued a forward-looking economic agenda that strengthens our ties with partners and supports American workers. Today our partners recognize that our collective success hinges on building secure supply chains, harnessing the clean energy and digital transformations, and driving broadly shared growth. By putting these issues at the top of our agenda, President Biden has been able to forge new regional partnerships and deepen bilateral ones.

       

      Securing Key Outcomes Across the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. A year and a half ago, President Biden launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity to work with diverse regional partners to advance workers’ rights, facilitate high-standard trade and investment, and tackle pressing issues facing our countries, including vulnerable supply chains, clean energy transitions, and corruption. This week, the President announced that the United States and our IPEF partners have negotiated first-of-their-kind agreements to achieve these goals, including a Supply Chain Agreement that will help partners promote diversification and resiliency in their supply chains, a Clean Economy Agreement to accelerate IPEF partners’ transitions to cleaner economies, and a Fair Economy Agreement that will enhance IPEF partners’ efforts to combat corruption and improve tax transparency.

      Launching Indo-Pacific Specific Initiatives Through the U.S. Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI). To scale high-standard investments and create a more resilient economy in the United States and in the Indo-Pacific, the United States hosted a regional PGI Investor Forum with IPEF governments and the U.S. private sector. At the Investor Forum, the United States announced new transformative investments from the U.S. Government and U.S. private sector and launched the PGI IPEF Investment Accelerator to scale high-standard project financing to drive sustainable economic growth in IPEF countries. Through the Accelerator, the United States and IPEF partners will develop a country-tailored investment approach targeting key sectors identified by IPEF beneficiaries. The Accelerator will focus on high-standard outcomes, including strong worker and environmental protections.

      Launching the United States’ First Global Labor Strategy. President Biden has also been clear that growth must support workers—both in the United States and around the world. This week, President Biden signed the first-ever Presidential Memorandum outlining the Administration’s commitment to workers’ rights globally.  In doing so, President Biden is directing Federal departments and agencies to advance labor rights and worker empowerment in their work abroad, including enhancing labor diplomacy and labor engagements through our Embassies; aligning our efforts in multilateral forums to pursue high labor standards and enhance worker protections and workers’ right to organize; and ensuring consistent consultation with and participation of labor stakeholders in policy development and economic engagement.

      Launching the Women in the Sustainable Economy (WISE) Initiative. This week at APEC, the Vice President launched the Women in the Sustainable Economy (WISE) Initiative, with more than $900 million in commitments—including over $163 million in U.S. government commitments — by governments, private sector companies, foundations, and civil society to bolster women’s economic participation in green and blue sectors, including clean energy, fisheries, recycling, forest management, and environmental conservation.  

      Investing in APEC as an Institution

       

      While APEC has always focused on economic growth, throughout the United States host year, we have focused on how we grow. Guided by the theme, “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” the U.S. APEC Host Year focused on key priorities for future regional growth.

       

      Elevating Inclusivity, Sustainability, Connectivity, and Resiliency.  Under the U.S. Host Year, APEC launched the Manoa Agenda for Sustainable and Inclusive Economies focuses on efforts to promote green growth and APEC’s work on sustainable economic growth; the Digital Pacific Agenda to support the responsible design, development, and deployment of emerging digital technologies aimed to secure digital access for consumers and businesses; and the Bay Area Agenda on Resilient and Inclusive Growth to increase supply chain resilience while continuing to integrate the cross-cutting concept of inclusion.

      Reaching Consensus on the Golden Gate Declaration. APEC Leaders formally adopted this year’s Leaders’ Declaration, “The Golden Gate Declaration.” This Declaration reflects consensus from APEC leaders and a commitment to work together to keep our markets open, to address supply chain disruptions, and to ensure our trade and investment benefits all of our people and economies. It reflects a commitment to accelerate our efforts toward a clean and just energy transition—including tripling renewable energy capacity globally—and to cut in half the digital gender divide by 2030. The Declaration was issued alongside a companion Chair’s Statement which reflects the Leaders’ discussion on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and other geopolitical issues. Read the Golden Gate Declaration here, and read the Chair’s Statement of the APEC Leader’s Summit here.

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      NOVEMBER 17, 2023

      Chair’s Statement on
      the APEC Economic Leader’s Meeting

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
       

      San Francisco, California

      November 16-17, 2023

       

      With regard to the war against Ukraine, we reiterated our respective positions as expressed in other fora, including the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which, in Resolution No. ES-11/1 dated 2 March 2022 as adopted by majority vote deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine. Most members strongly condemn the aggression against Ukraine and underscore the need to reach a just, and lasting peace based on the principles of the United Nations Charter, including the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has further aggravated the ongoing food security crisis around the world, especially in developing and least developed countries. We note with deep concern the adverse impact of the war in Ukraine and stress that it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy – constraining growth, increasing inflation, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food insecurity, and elevating financial stability risks. In this context, the use or threat of use of nuclear weapon is inadmissible.

       

      We exchanged views on the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Leaders, including the United States, shared their respective positions. Some Leaders also shared the united messages of the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh on 11 November 2023.

       

      Some Leaders objected to the inclusion of this language in the accompanying 2023 APEC Leaders’ Golden Gate Declaration on the basis that they do not believe that APEC is a forum to discuss geopolitical issues.

       

      See Also:

      Golden Gate Leaders’ Declaration

       

      ###

      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      NOVEMBER 17, 2023

      2023 APEC Leaders’ Golden Gate Declaration

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

      Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All

       

      1. We, the Economic Leaders of APEC, met in San Francisco, California, on November 16-17, 2023. Three decades after the United States hosted the first APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Blake Island near Seattle in 1993, it is clear our steady commitment to APEC’s mission has helped our region become a vanguard of global growth. Here in San Francisco, we emphasized that effective policies require, above all, responsiveness to all our people and economies. This commitment has grounded our vision and practical work in San Francisco and throughout the U.S. host year meetings in Honolulu, Palm Springs, Detroit, and Seattle.

       

      2. Today we face a different and dynamic set of economic challenges. We must harness technological and economic progress to continue to unleash the enormous potential and tremendous dynamism across our region, spur economic growth, as well as to address all environmental challenges, including climate change. The commitments found within this Golden Gate Declaration build upon the work of previous APEC hosts and move our region towards new ways of bringing resiliency, sustainability, interconnection, innovation and inclusion directly into our priorities and working together to respond to our most pressing economic challenges. Our APEC mission and our practical work remain guided by our commitment, as laid out in the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action, to an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations. In focusing that vision and work this year on the U.S. theme of “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” we have acknowledged both new challenges that confront us and innovative ways to respond to those challenges.

       

      3. The U.S. host year builds on APEC’s Bangkok Goals on the Bio-Circular-Green Economy, which established the goal of progressing sustainable and inclusive economic policies while ensuring they also address environmental challenges. We welcome the San Francisco Principles on Integrating Inclusivity and Sustainability into Trade and Investment Policy (Annex) as well as the ministerial-level deliberations of the 2023 sectoral ministerial meetings for Transportation, Trade, Disaster Management, Food Security, Health and the Economy, Energy, Women and the Economy, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Finance, including the Non-Binding Just Energy Transition Principles for APEC Cooperation; Principles for Achieving Food Security Through Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in the APEC Region. We also welcome the updated Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and Action Plan.

       

      4. We reaffirm our determination to deliver a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, inclusive, and predictable trade and investment environment. We also reaffirm the importance of the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, which continues to catalyze our region’s extraordinary growth. We are committed to necessary reform of the WTO to improve all of its functions, including conducting discussions with a view to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024. We call upon APEC economies to work towards the timely and effective implementation of WTO agreements and reaffirm our commitment to engage constructively to ensure MC13 is a success and delivers positive outcomes.

       

      5. We underscore our commitment to advance economic integration in the region in a manner that is market-driven, including through the work on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific agenda. To this end, we will enhance our capacity building and technical cooperation efforts in support of economies’ readiness to participate in high quality and comprehensive regional undertakings. We will further strengthen our engagement with stakeholders, including the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and increase public-private sector dialogues.

       

      6. We will continue to work to ensure a level playing field to foster a favorable trade and investment environment. We reiterate our commitment to accelerate work in response to the APEC Services Competitiveness Roadmap (ASCR) Mid-Term Review, with the aim to fully implement the ASCR by 2025. We also reaffirm our commitment to keep markets open and address supply chain disruptions, including by working to support our businesses in building secure, effective, resilient, sustainable, and open supply chains that create a predictable, competitive, and digitally interconnected Asia-Pacific region. By recognizing the unique needs and interests of all stakeholders, we can work towards more inclusive and sustainable policies that ensure our trade and investment equitably benefits all our people and economies. We remain committed to implementing the APEC Connectivity Blueprint (2015-2025) by strengthening physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity. We will intensify efforts to promote regional, sub-regional and remote area connectivity. In this regard, we reaffirm the importance of quality infrastructure development and investment.

       

      7. The world continues to confront profound challenges posed by the impacts of climate change. We recognize that more intensive efforts are needed for economies to accelerate their clean, sustainable, just, affordable, and inclusive energy transitions through various pathways, consistent with global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions / carbon neutrality by or around mid-century, while taking into account the latest scientific developments and different domestic circumstances. In doing so, we endeavor to unleash a new era of decent jobs, investment, economic growth, and ensure energy, security, resilience, and access in the region. We recall our commitment to rationalize and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption, while recognizing the importance of providing those in need with essential energy services. To reach this goal, we will continue our efforts in an accelerated manner.

       

      8. We will pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally through existing targets and policies as well as demonstrate similar ambition with respect to other zero and low emissions technologies including abatement and removal technologies in line with domestic circumstances by 2030. To spur the transition to and investment in low and zero emissions transportation in the region through various pathways, we will pursue efforts to accelerate the transition towards low and zero emissions vehicles; sustainable aviation fuels; and low and zero emission maritime shipping and port decarbonization.

       

      9. We commit to fully implement the Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030 as a pathway to make our agri-food systems more resilient, productive, innovative, and sustainable, while recognizing there is “no-one-size-fits-all” approach to agricultural sustainability. We also reaffirm our commitment to work towards the sustainable resource management of agriculture, forestry and marine resources and fisheries, including combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and emphasize the relationship between open, undistorted agri-food systems, climate change, and food security and nutrition. We reaffirm the importance of agricultural productivity, international trade, and prevention and reduction of food loss and waste, in achieving food security, and will increase our efforts to ensuring food security and nutrition.

       

      10. We remain committed to improving the quality of life for all our people, and to creating a resilient and sustainable future for all. To do so we will continue to advance and support gender equality as well as the economic inclusion and empowerment of MSMEs, the workforce, women, youth, and other groups with untapped economic potential, such as Indigenous Peoples as appropriate, persons with disabilities, and those from remote and rural communities.

       

      11. We emphasize the importance of creating pathways for MSMEs and start-ups to grow, including through opportunities to become more competitive, specialized, and innovative. We will support MSMEs to expand into regional and global markets, including by integrating into global value chains, through collaboration with large enterprises, and through the use of digital tools and technologies. We encourage the development of easy-to-use and cost-effective products and solutions that help MSMEs accelerate their digital transformation. We recognize the importance of access to finance to facilitate growth. We reaffirm the importance of building an enabling environment for MSMEs, as well as supporting the transition of economic actors from the informal to the formal economy.

       

      12. Here in San Francisco, where APEC first launched the Women and the Economy Forum in 2011, we reaffirmed our commitment to promote economic growth including by fostering the full and equal participation and leadership of women in the economy, including by improving women’s access to capital and assets, markets, skills and capacity building, voices and agency, and innovation and technology. We welcome continued efforts to accelerate full implementation of the La Serena Roadmap for Women and Inclusive Growth to drive inclusive economic development. We commit to care policies and investments in care infrastructure that address the unequal distribution in paid and unpaid care and domestic work, and furthering gender equality in global value chains. We will support women’s meaningful economic participation, particularly in the sustainable economy, as well as women’s and girls’ education, including in STEM fields. We reiterate our commitment to actively encourage initiatives and strategies to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and discrimination against women and girls of diverse backgrounds.

       

      13. We reaffirm our commitment to create an enabling, inclusive, open, fair and non-discriminatory digital ecosystem for business and consumers. We welcome U.S. efforts to implement the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap (AIDER), which will foster an inclusive digital economy for all. We encourage all economies to accelerate efforts to implement AIDER, including in the areas of data privacy, cloud computing, telecommunications networks, promoting interoperability, ICT security, and digital trade and e-commerce, emerging technologies, and promoting innovation and adoption of enabling technologies and services. To unlock the full potential of digital technology, equitably share its benefits, and mitigate risks, we will explore a concerted and collaborative policy response, promote international cooperation on digital technology, and welcome a continued international discussion on governance for digital technology. We also commit to bridging the digital divide, including halving the gender digital divide by 2030, taking into account different domestic circumstances. We will strengthen digital infrastructure, facilitate access to information and communication technology goods and services, and ensure that no one is left behind by equipping all people with the necessary skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. We will accelerate digital transformation and cooperate on facilitating the flow of data and strengthening business and consumer trust in digital transactions, including through cooperation on regulatory approaches regarding the internet and digital economy, as well as consumer protection and data privacy in the digital environment. Furthermore, we recognize APEC’s efforts towards a more inclusive APEC Business Travel Card as an enabling technology that support efficient and seamless business travel in the region, and APEC’s efforts to facilitate the recovery of travel and tourism following the pandemic.

       

      14. Recognizing the detrimental impact of corruption on economic growth and development, we are committed to taking practical actions and a united approach, to jointly fight cross-border corruption and deny safe haven to corruption offenders and their illicit assets. We welcome the work this year in this regard.

       

      15. Our stakeholders and business communities bring creativity, dynamism, and energy and remain vital partners in our work. We look forward to further strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement, including with ABAC and Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, as well as through events such as the APEC CEO Summit, and Sustainable Future Forum.

       

      16. This Golden Gate Declaration and our cooperation throughout the U.S. host year exemplify our shared commitment to strengthening APEC’s leadership and standing as the premiere forum for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to the upcoming APEC host years of Peru (2024), the Republic of Korea (2025), and Viet Nam (2027), and we pledge our support to those economies as they advance APEC’s vital work. We extend our thanks to the people and City of San Francisco and State of California for the warm welcome extended to us.

       

      Annex:

       

      San Francisco Principles on Integrating Inclusivity and Sustainability into Trade and Investment Policy

      See Also:

      Accompanying Chair’s Statement

       

      ###

       

      ------------------------------------------------------------------

      NOVEMBER 17, 2023

       

      Readout of President Joe Biden’s Meeting with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

      President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, in San Francisco, California.  The two leaders reaffirmed the U.S.-Mexico relationship as a consequential strategic partnership that spans the full spectrum of national and homeland security interests ranging from economic competitiveness and climate change to citizen security and migration management.

       

      Recognizing the devastating effects of the fentanyl and synthetic opioid crisis, President Biden expressed appreciation for the full commitment President López Obrador has made to confront this challenge through domestic efforts, as well as bilaterally, trilaterally with Canada though the Trilateral Fentanyl Commission, and multilaterally through the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.  The leaders discussed ways the United States and Mexico can expand law enforcement cooperation as we combat the trafficking of people, illicit drugs, and arms, and dismantle the violent transnational criminal organizations that run these trafficking networks and terrorize our communities.

       

      The United States and Mexico share the objective of making North America the most dynamic, competitive, and prosperous region in the world.  President Biden thanked President López Obrador for Mexico’s participation in the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity.  He reiterated that with massive shifts in global supply chains, the availability of clean energy technologies, and advances in artificial intelligence, our countries have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost North American prosperity through the creation of good jobs for both our countries, all while meeting our respective national goals to combat the climate crisis.  The leaders discussed the importance of ensuring our region’s investment climate bolsters efforts to deepen economic integration and secure our supply chains, including through nearshoring.  Mexico is now the United States’ largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods and services totaling $863.4 billion in 2022.  This trade directly and indirectly supports millions of jobs in both countries.  Cooperation between our countries on regulatory alignment and our supply chain coordination, particularly in the information and communication technologies and semiconductor sectors, is helping to ensure the United States and Mexico are able to take full advantage of economic opportunities now and in the future.  

       

      President Biden recognized the essential partnership that we have built with Mexico to manage unprecedented levels of migration across the Western Hemisphere.  With regard to enforcement, President Biden thanked President López Obrador for sustaining his effective containment operations and joining the United States in repatriating individuals who do not have a legal basis through which to remain in our countries. This is critical to deterring irregular migration to our shared border. The United States has conducted a record number of removals this year, and most recently restarted removal flights to Venezuela. The leaders discussed the need for all countries in the region to do their part to humanely manage migration, and they agreed to work together to address the actions that Nicaragua and certain private sector entities are taking to facilitate irregular migration for profit. The United States is currently exploring options within our legal framework to penalize this activity.

       

      The leaders also discussed their joint commitment to address the root causes of migration across the Western Hemisphere and to expand lawful pathways for migration.  On the topic of root causes, both leaders expressed concern about efforts to undermine the electoral process in Guatemala.  On legal pathways, the United States and Mexico jointly launched a humanitarian parole process earlier this year for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, and paired it with consequences for unlawful entry; nearly 300,000 individuals from these countries have come legally to the United States in the last 12 months under this initiative.  This led to a dramatic and sustained drop in irregular migration at our shared border.  Building on this, the United States launched the Safe Mobility Office Initiative in April 2023 with countries across the region.  Since the SMO Initiative started, the United States has welcomed more than 2,000 refugees to the United States.  President Biden recognized steps that Mexico is taking to expand access to legal pathways including work visas inside Mexico, particularly for Central Americans. The two leaders agreed to sustain and expand the close cooperation that we have achieved in managing migration in the Western Hemisphere.  This work is at the heart of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection.

       

      Recognizing that the United States and Mexico have a shared stake in each other’s prosperity and security, the two Presidents committed to continuing to partner in multiple dimensions to capitalize on economic opportunity and to jointly lead in meeting the global and regional challenges of fentanyl and migration.

       

      ###

      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      NOVEMBER 17, 2023

      Remarks by President Biden at the APEC Leaders Retreat Meeting

       

      Moscone Convention Center

      San Francisco, California

       

      11:29 A.M. PST

       

      PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, hello, everyone. We’re going to extend this conference another five days. (Laughter.)

       

      PARTICIPANT: Good.

       

      PRESIDENT BIDEN: If that’s okay.

       

      Welcome to the final APEC Leaders’ session. Over the last few days, we’ve worked together — and I think that’s not an exagg- — that’s not hyperbole; we’ve worked together — to find ways to build an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economies for the Asia-Pacific.

       

      And talked about the progress that requires partnership. Together — together, we laid out the work we’ll be undertaking to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

       

      The U.S. companies have announced more than 500 [50] billion dollars — investments into APEC economies to build new — new subsea cables, decarbonizing energy grids, and complete the largest U.S. airline expansion into the South Pacific in our history.

       

      Alongside 13 of our APEC partners, we also made historic progress yesterday on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, with the first-of-its-kind agreements to strengthen supply chains, accelerate our clean energy transition, and combat corruption.

       

      As we begin our discussions today, I want to highlight a few areas that I believe we can do even more, in my view.

       

      First, inclusive growth. When everyone in our economies

      has a chance to contribute, everyone gets a fair shot, we’re all — we all do better. So, today, I’m proud to announce that we’ve launched the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative.

       

      Partners — partners in this initiative have already pledged more than $900 million — $900 million to increase women participation in blue and green industries like forest management, clean energy, fisheries, and recycling.

       

      And if you wonder why I’m so enthusiastic about this, I got more women in my Cabinet than men, so I’ve got to get this straight. But all kidding aside, I think this is a very important initiative.

       

      Including by creating the first-ever facility dedicated to helping women and — women-led businesses and organizations in developing countries to gain access to climate finance.

       

      We’re also supporting programs that expand access to STEM education, to address laws that limit women’s equal access to land and natural resources.

       

      And we plan to invest in young women enter- — entrepreneurs in the maritime sector and to scale up these projects as well.

       

      And I — I challenge us all to find new ways we can seize the full potential of all of our people.

       

      Secondly, interconnected growth and technology. We’re going to see more technological change in the next 10 years than we’ve seen in the last 50 years. And I don’t think that’s hyperbole. I think you — we’re going to see that changing so rapidly.

       

      And together, we have to make sure it changes for the better.

       

      Matter of fact, the — Xi Jinping of China and I had a brief discussion about the impact of artificial intelligence and how we have to work on it.

       

      Together, we must ensure the change is for the better. And we must ensure that the digital technologies, like artificial intelligence, are used to uplift not limit the potential of our people.

       

      And that’s why earlier this summer, the United States brought together leading AI companies who agreed to voluntary com- — voluntary commitments to keep AI systems safe and trustworthy, including the following:

       

      Committing to independently test and secure — the security of their AI systems before these systems are released to the public.

       

      Two, committing to watermark content that is AI-generated so people know it’s been generated by artificial intelligence.

       

      Committing to prioritize and minimize the risks that AI systems can pose to society, like promoting bias or discrimination.

       

      Just last month, I signed an executive order here in the States to set new AI standards for public and private sectors in the United States, such as requiring developers of

      the most powerful AI systems to share their safety test results

      with the U.S. government — this is in the U.S.; strengthen technologies to protecting our privacy; and preventing employees

      from using AI to exploit their worker — employers from using AI to exploit their workers.

       

      We’re also expanding grants for AI research in key areas

      like healthcare and climate change, where it has great potential.

       

      But this is a shared challenge and requires shared solutions. And I would respectfully suggest all of us around this table have a responsibility to work together to seize the opportunities and manage the risks of this technology, which are so critical to our collective economic futures.

       

      And finally, as I said yesterday, America’s commitment to

      the Asia-Pacific is unwavering and, in our view, from America’s perspective, essential.

       

      I know Pre- — I know President — excuse me — I know President Boluarte is — shares this commitment.

       

      And I want — I want you to know: Next year, when the APEC Summit host, Peru — will help drive these economies forward when we hang out in Peru. The views are going to be nice, too.

       

      Well, so, as we begin our discussion, I’d like to take a moment to pass the ceremonial torch from the United States to Peru.

       

      Madam President, thank you, and the floor is yours.

       

      PRESIDENT BOLUARTE: Thank you, Mr. President.

       

      (As interpreted.) The leaders who are here, I would like to warmly greet every one of you.

       

      Next year, Peru will celebrate APEC 2024. We receive this responsibility quite seriously, but we also take on this commitment with the great affection that Peruvians have right here. It comes from our hearts.

       

      And we will receive the 21 economies — leading economies that are here. We will receive you in our — we will welcome you in our beloved Peru so that, in 2024, we can continue to build on what APEC has been doing over so many years: promoting equity between men and women, empowering women in economic development with respect in society and politics, in employment. But we also want to encourage children and young people to be a part of this history that the leaders around this table here today share.

       

      We have worked on such an important issue, which is caring for our planet, which is the only home we have. And I believe that the economies who are here today, the leaders here today must take on this serious responsibility of continuing to work on this development on searching for a better way to care for our home, for planet Earth.

       

      We hope to see each and every one of you in Peru next year, in Arequipa, in this Sacred Valley of the Incas in Urubamba, in the beautiful springtime city of Trujillo, in the beautiful area of the Amazon in Pucallpa, and of course in our capital, Lima, Peru.

       

      There, all of you will honor us with your presence, and we will welcome you with the affection we always show. We will work together hand in hand, all of us, so that APEC next year shines with its own light from our imperial city of Cusco, our beloved Peru, out towards the world.

       

      So, we wish you a warm welcome next year, and we will welcome you there with our greatest affection. Thank you very much, President Biden.

       

      PRESIDENT BIDEN: Madam President, we’re looking forward to that. I would now respectfully ask the press to leave. And I will soon turn it over to the International Monetary Fund.

       

      11:38 A.M. PST

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      NOVEMBER 17, 2023

       

      Remarks by President Biden and
      President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of
      Mexico Before Bilateral Meeting

      Moscone Convention Center

      San Francisco, California

       

       10:13 A.M. PST

       

      PRESIDENT BIDEN:  It’s good to see you again.  We had dinner last night.  I told you — you sat next to my wife — you were so captivating, I was worried she liked you more than she likes me now.  I don’t know.

       

      But thank you very much for being so gracious.

       

      You heard me say it before: Nothing is beyond our reach, in my view — I really mean it — when Mexico and the United States stand together and work together as we’ve been doing.

       

      We see it in our security cooperation. We’re working side by side to combat arms trafficking, to combat — tackle organized crime, and to address the opioid epidemic and — including fentanyl, which, when we talk privately, I want to tell you about my great conversation with Xi Jinping on that issue.

       

      And we — in our economic cooperation, we’re growing our economies from the bottom up and the middle out so that not just the wealthy benefit, but all our citizens benefit from our economic growth.

       

      And we see it in our work to strengthen supply chains, including through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, and we’ve co- — been cooperating there as well.

       

      And we see it in our cooperation to address historic levels of migration.  And I want to thank you, Mr. President, and your team — I really mean it — for the cooperation and your leadership in taking on this challenge.  I know it’s not easy.

       

      Together, we’re taking a balanced approach that lies at the heart of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, and we and 19 other nations have signed on to that agreement.  So, it includes enforcing our borders, increasing reparations, and opening a historic number of legal pathways for migrants.

       

      So, I want to thank you, again.  All the things that are of consequence to us — I couldn’t have a better partner than you.

       

      Thank you.

       

      PRESIDENT LÓPEZ OBRADOR:  (As interpreted.)  We are highly satisfied of joining you here in San Francisco and have the opportunity to meet President Biden and you.

       

      The relation between our countries is excellent.  Our people are friends.  This is a respectful and cooperative relationship for development.

       

      In recent years, basically due to this great relationship we have with our neighboring and brother country, we are commercial partners.  We are the main trade partners in the world, which is outstanding.

       

      At the same time, there are around 40 million Mexicans working and living with decency in the United States, which

      strengthens our bonds.

       

      And, of course, progress needs to be made — further progress needs to be made to address the migratory phenomenon.  We’re working on that jointly in coordination.  And we wish to thank President Biden because he is the first president in recent times in opening legal pathways for migration.

       

      In the past, there were no possibilities for people who needed to come to the United States — there were no legal possibilities open.  And it is President Biden who opened up this possibility upon a request placed by Central America and the Caribbean countries.  They file the petition and after an assessment is made, they’re allowed to enter the United States, which means that they no longer have to cross our country with all the suffering and risks such an endeavor poses.  It’s a humane way to address the migratory phenomenon.

       

      And I would also like to express and to state that he is the first President in the United States in recent times who has not built walls.  It is true.  And we need to continue to support one another so migration is an option and not enforced.

       

      We wish to assist the people in their countries of origin when they are forced to migrate.  We are fully satisfied in holding this meeting.

       

      And as regards to drug control, Mexico’s undertaking is to continue to support so we do not allow the introduction of chemical components and chemical precursors to fentanyl because we’re fully aware of the damage it poses to the United States’ youth.

       

      This is a matter of humanism.  It’s an act of solidarity.  We are sincerely committed to continue to assist at our fullest capacity to prevent drug trafficking, namely the entrance of fentanyl and other chemical precursors.

       

      I’m pretty certain that we will continue to evolve a good relationship.  And I would like to also take this opportunity to greet our paisanos, the Mexican migrants who are living and making a life and working in the United States.  Around 40 million people have made the United States their second home, their second country.

       

      And I would also like to inform those who may not be aware of this that in recent years, there are many American citizens who are moving to Mexico to stay there to live in Mexico.  So, welcome, because we are brotherly countries.

       

      Thank you.  This is what I wanted to say, as well as that we have a great relationship and you have an extraordinary president in the United States — a man with convictions.  A man — a good man.

       

      10:21 A.M. PST

      ---------------------------------------------------------

      NOVEMBER 17, 2023

       

      Remarks by President Biden at APEC Dinner | San Francisco, CA

       

      Legion of Honor Museum

      San Francisco, California

       

      8:21 P.M. PST

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Welcome.  I’d like to make a brief toast to welcome you all.  And I want to say that it’s been a pleasure so far.  We’ll make sure tomorrow is even better.  All right?

       

      We had a great day and great meetings today.  And the — we broke some important ground for APEC.  And — but tonight, it’s about breaking bread together and we know one another a little better after tonight.

       

      And I’ll — I assume you’ll forgive me for quoting an Irish poet instead of a Pacific poet.  But I beg your pardon for doing that.  But they’re — Eavan Boland wrote a — she was a daughter of Dublin, Ireland, and she made a career as a poet in Palo Alto, California.  And she taught at Stanford University.

       

      And this was one of her last poems.  And a line in the poem goes, “Remind us again now that history changes…That it belongs to us.  It belongs to all of us.”

       

      We gather this week in San Francisco at an inflection point in history.  One of the full new challenges that’s — not only challenges but new threats as well.

       

      But we have to never forget that we can change and bend the arc of history for the better if we make up our mind to do it, that together we can harness the power of the Pacific to grow our economies, to uplift our workers, to protect our planet, and to connect our people to one another and the future of greater prosperity and dignity for all.

       

      So much of history of the world will be written in the Asia-Pacific in the coming years.  We must never forget that it’s a history that belongs to all of us.

       

      Hopes that have always brought us forward.  Hopes that, in fact, we share — 3 billion people re- — that we represent share in common.  Hopes and aspirations that have brought us together here today.

       

      So, please join me in raising your glass to our people, to our — to the Pacific, and to the possibilities of all we can do together.

       

      Hear, hear.  Welcome.

       

      (A toast is offered.)

       

      Bon appétit.

       

      8:24 P.M. PST

      ---------------------------------------

      NOVEMBER 17, 2023

      Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at an APEC Spousal Program on Mental Health

      HOME

      BRIEFING ROOM

      SPEECHES AND REMARKS

      Cupertino, California

       

      Thank you, Tim, for your leadership and friendship. It’s an honor to be here with you at this magnificent campus.

       

      I’m grateful to you and Lisa, Carolyn, Semonti, Sumbul, and the health and event teams for helping us host this program today.

       

      Honored guests, friends, it has been a pleasure spending time with you at this APEC summit.

       

      It’s hard to imagine now, but this splendid space we’re sitting in and this company, one of the world’s largest, started from humble beginnings, in Steve Jobs’ small family garage just a 15-minute drive from here.

       

      When Apple began in 1976, computers weren’t personal, they were intimidating and unfriendly. The purview of engineers and mathematicians, not moms and dads and grandparents.

       

      Steve’s vision and insight wasn’t the iPhone or the idea to put a thousand songs in your pocket.

       

      He believed that at our core, each of us is searching for connection. And that technology could facilitate that connection.

       

      Steve sought to put the personal in personal computing.

       

      Now, technology, computers, phones, and watches help connect us to the people who matter most in our lives – their love and friendship at our fingertips.

       

      We can text our children, wishing them good luck on their big exam.

       

      We can see our husbands and wives on a computer screen, even if they happen to be on the other side of the world.

       

      We can quickly and easily let our best friends know that we’re thinking of them.

       

      And, didn’t this all become so much more important during the Covid-19 pandemic?

       

      As first spouses, I believe that all of us in this room have a deep understanding of that innate desire for human connection.

       

      We see it every day in our own communities, don’t we?

       

      The way a hug can give warmth and love, how a caring shoulder can ease heavy burdens, how a simple smile can brighten an entire day.

       

      As I’ve traveled across the United States, I’ve seen far too many people who are missing this connection and struggling with their mental health.

       

      I continue to teach at a community college, and in my own classroom, I’ve seen how, after the Covid pandemic, so many of my students are wrestling with anxiety and isolation, and struggling to connect.

       

      Too often, these issues are hidden, swept under the rug and ignored.

       

      But when we bring them into the light, when we talk about them openly, we can begin to heal.

       

      I saw the power of this honesty earlier this year.

       

      I met with high school students in the midwestern state of Indiana who had formed a campus club to help with mental health.

       

      The club facilitates peer-to-peer conversations, and encourages students to talk with the adults in their lives or a professional.

       

      We need to find ways to encourage that type of bravery.

       

      This isn’t only an American issue. It’s a global one. I know many of you have seen similar challenges.

       

      That’s why I wanted to bring all of us together this morning, to talk about what we’re seeing, and to share lessons we’ve learned.

       

      Because when people have the tools and resources to support their mental health and well-being, they thrive, and they help us create stronger communities and stronger economies.

       

      That’s what this APEC Summit is about – coming together to build a brighter, more resilient future.

       

      I look forward to hearing from you, but first, it is an honor to introduce a young woman of incredible talent and courage. A global superstar who is using her platform as a force for good in the world.

       

      Rosé is a wildly popular solo artist and the lead singer of the Korean pop group, BLACKPINK.

       

      She is also an outspoken advocate for mental health and has bravely shared her story in the hopes of helping others.

       

      I am thankful that she accepted my invitation to join us today and grateful to Mrs. Kim, the First Lady of Korea, for supporting my effort.

       

      Please join me in welcoming, Rosé.

       

      ***

       

      Thank you, Rosé, for sharing that powerful message.

       

      It’s inspiring how you’re elevating this important issue and helping others find their way out of the darkness.

       

      I asked the U.S. Surgeon General, Doctor Vivek Murthy, to help facilitate our conversation on mental health. Doctor Murthy is one of our leading experts working on how to balance both the benefits and risks of technology on our mental health, especially the mental health of our young people. He and I have partnered together on efforts to reach young Americans.

       

      Vivek, thank you for joining us. I’ll turn it over to you now.

       

      ***

       

      I just want to say thank you, with all my heart. I’m really honored that you joined me today for this important dialogue. What a powerful way to close our time together.

       

      It was so valuable to hear your stories and experiences. Thank you for sharing, thank you for opening up and talking about a difficult topic.

       

      I’m inspired by your strength and dedication. And I’m optimistic about our ability to address this urgent issue, to make meaningful change.

       

      I’ve learned so much from you, even in this short time we’ve had together.

       

      Thank you.

       

      ###

      ----------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Remarks by Vice President Harris at APEC Business Advisory Council Meeting | San Francisco, CA

       

      Moscone Center

      San Francisco, California

       

      THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Dominic, for your leadership and for the work that you have been doing as the head of the APEC Business Advisory Council and all you have done throughout your career to lift up so many communities.

       

      Good afternoon to everyone.  And welcome to all the APEC leaders and the CEOs who are here.  As Dominic mentioned, in Singapore two years ago, I had the privilege of announcing that the United States intended to host APEC in 2023.  And then last year, as I represented the United States in Bangkok at APEC, I announced that San Francisco would be the host city.  And today, it is my privilege, then, to warmly welcome all of you to my home state of California.

       

      As Vice President, it has been my honor to work with many of you across my four trips to the Indo-Pacific and dozens of bilateral and multilateral meetings and summits.  And this week, we continue with these important conversations.

       

      The Indo-Pacific region is critical to the security and prosperity of the American people, and the United States has an enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific, including a vital interest in promoting a region that is open, interconnected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.

       

      As Joe Pr- — Joe Biden has said and made clear, the Biden-Harris administration is committed to strengthening our multilateral engagement in the region, including through APEC.

       

      In addition, APEC economies represent significant opportunities for the American economy.  These relationships expand our ability to increase markets for U.S. exports, to create jobs in the United States, and to build inclusive economic growth.  Of all the goods that the United States exports, more than 60 percent go to APEC economies, and APEC economies represent more than 60 percent of the world’s GDP.

       

      APEC also plays an important role to strengthen international economic rules and norms, to promote free and fair markets, create predictability and stability for our companies, and to protect workers’ rights.

       

      The Biden-Harris administration has also emphasized public-private collaboration both domestically and internationally.  When we combine the expertise and the experience of the private sector with the reach and capacity of the public sector, we unleash economic growth and opportunity that far exceeds what either the private or public sector could achieve on its own.

       

      From Tokyo to Singapore to Silicon Valley, I have convened CEOs on issues that range from supply chain resilience to the growth of the semiconductor production facilities.

       

      I have also led partnerships with the private sector focused on economic opportunity in northern Central America and climate resilience and digital inclusion on the continent of Africa.  This type of collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential — essential to drive our economies forward in a way that invests in innovation, strengthens economies, and uplifts the human condition.

       

      Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, we have incentivized Indo-Pacific companies to invest nearly $200 billion in the United States.  Under President Joe Biden, we have record job creation, a revitalized manufacturing industry, resilient consumer spending, and unprecedented small-business creation.

       

      History has shown that the United States has been an engine of global economic growth, and this will continue.  And of course, the entire Indo-Pacific benefits.

       

      In fact, American businesses are the largest source of foreign direct investment in APEC economies; they invest more than six times the amount of any other country.

       

      And today, President Biden announced that U.S. companies have committed an additional $50 billion of investment in the APEC economies, ranging from digital infrastructure to clean energy.

       

      This week, we will also discuss mutual challenges and opportunities for our economies, including the climate crisis, the economic empowerment of women, and artificial intelligence.

       

      The climate crisis is without a doubt an existential crisis that requires urgent action.  The President and I have worked to execute the most aggressive climate agenda in American history as part of our global commitments.  Over the last three years, we have dedicated $1 trillion to build climate-resilient infrastructure and foster a clean energy economy.

       

      And to all here I say: Our collective ambition must meet this moment.  There is much more work for us to all do and for the governments and companies that are represented here today.

       

      Regarding the economic empowerment of women: When we lift up the economic status of women, we lift up the economic status of children, families, and all of society benefits.  The United States proudly launched APEC’s focus on this issue during our last host year, which was in 2011.  It remains a priority for us.

       

      To that end, earlier today, I announced more than $900 million of public and private investments to launch the Women in Sustainable Economy Initiative.  And in the past eight months, I have partnered with the private sector and philanthropies to generate more than $2 billion to economically empower women around the world.

       

      On the issue of artificial intelligence, which has without any question the potential to do great good and the potential to do harm, it is important that we work together.

       

      Earlier this month, I met with many leaders in the United Kingdom to lay the groundwork on the future of AI.  As I outlined there, leaders from government and the private sector have a moral, ethical, and societal duty to make sure that AI is adopted and advanced in a way that is in service of the public interest.

       

      We must address the full spectrum of risks, from bias and discrimination already being experienced by individuals and communities to the catastrophic risks that could endanger all of humanity.  The Biden-Harris administration is taking steps to address all these risks in a way that will not stifle innovation.  It is my intention that the approach I laid out in the United Kingdom can help guide the discussions today.

       

      In each of these areas and across our economic agenda, our commitment to workers at home and abroad remains a priority.  And today, the United States launched our first Global Labor Strategy to expand our commitment to workers and make clear workers’ rights are central to our international economic strategy.  Building an inclusive economy requires empowering workers both here in America and abroad.

       

      In conclusion, I thank you all for being here and for your partnership in our interconnected and interdependent world.  Convenings like these are critical to ensure prosperity and security for all our economies.

       

      And with that, I will turn it back to Dominic.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

       

                                END

      _______________________________________________

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Remarks by President Biden at the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework | San Francisco, CA

      \

      Moscone Convention Center

      San Francisco, California

       

      4:44 P.M. PST

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Sorry to keep you waiting.  It’s my fault.  It’s my fault.  I was on the phone.

       

      Hello, everyone.  We just came from a — please have a seat — a three-hour meeting with all 21 APEC economies discussing how to generate more growth and more opportunity in the region, particularly to deal with climate change.

       

      Today, we’re announcing progress on the important initiative that we proposed with 13 of my colleagues here and of our — of 13 r- — APEC partners — the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework — Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States.

       

      In May of 2022, we came together in Tokyo to launch negotiations on this so-called framework.  We still have more work to do, but we’ve made substantial progress.  In record time, we’ve reached consensus on three of the pillars of the IPEF.  I hate acronyms.  I apologize.  (Laughter.)

       

      The first, we signed a first-of-its-kind supply chain agreement to help identify supply chain bottlenecks before they become the kind of disruptions we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We saw what happened then in the United States and elsewhere.  But the Unites States’ semiconductor supply chains dried up in Asia, and the United States — a lot of it shut down.

       

      This is an agreement we’ve been in — we put back in place.  We could — if we had this agreement in place we’re talking about today, we would not have had to lay off so many auto workers because lack of semiconductors and many other examples.

       

      Second, we’ve concluded an agreement to accelerate the clean energy transition in the Indo-Pacific region, including by enabling greater U.S. and private sector investment in clean energy, innovation, and infrastructure in our partner countries.

       

      You heard discussions today about how there’s many opportunities and ideas that have — but being able to attract private sector investment and government investment is hard for many of these countries that have great ideas and great opportunities.

       

      Well, the solar investments in the Philippines is an example, offshore wind in Thailand and Indon- — Indonesia, joint investments between the United States and India on energy storage, and so much more.

       

      Third, we’ve concluded an agreement to combat corruption and improve tax administration to make sure that our trade and investment is clean and transparent and private companies don’t have any worry about their investments being used properly.  And that’s exactly what we’ve done.

       

      Every business leader I’ve talked to and my colleagues have, they’re more likely to invest in a region if there’s less corruption, more transparency.  And that’s exactly what this agreement does and would show them.

       

      But as I’ve said, we have more work to do.  We made progress in high-standard trade rules that include strong labor and environmental standards.

       

      We’ve committed to extending our cooperation to challenges like artificial intelligence, energy security, and semiconductors.

       

      We’re launching a critical minerals dialogue to further strengthen our supply chains and create clean energy jobs.

       

      And today, I’m proud to announce that the United States is launching what we’ll call the Investment Accelerator through our Partnership for the Global Infrastructure and Investment.

       

      The Accelerator is going to bring private capital off the sidelines for major investments in clean energy and high technology.

       

      You’ve heard every one of my colleagues say one time or another that this can’t be done without trillions of dollars of private sector investment — to get hold of this and get ahold of it quickly to give them confidence to make those investments.

      That’s going to create a pipeline of projects in partner countries and then match private sector financing with these projects.  And it’s going to give those private sector investors confidence that their investment will be made according to the highest standards.

       

      Government investment is not enough.  We need to mobilize private investment.  And all the steps are going to help unlock this private investment, and — which is a necessary ingredient for success and rapid success in the area we’re talking about.

       

      Put simply, my colleagues and I are driving a race to the top among nations in the Indo-Pacific, driving nations to the top on standards, on transparency, on inclusivity and innovation.  And, together, we’re going to be forging a better future — one where workers get a fair shot and a fair share of the value they create, where high standards and sustainable growth win out, where we harness the full power and potential of our people.

       

      We welcome other nations who share this vision for the future to join the 13 of us.  Our economies will all be stronger because of it.

       

      Now I’d like to turn it over to a leader who has made part- — this partnership possible, Prime Minister Kishida of Japan.

       

      The floor is yours, Mr. Prime Minister.  (Applause.)

       

      4:49 P.M. PST

      _____________________________________________________

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Kishida of Japan

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan in San Francisco today to discuss global and regional security issues and to advance bilateral security and economic cooperation.

       

      The two leaders condemned Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism, reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians. They agreed to work together on delivering urgent life-saving assistance to civilians in Gaza and committed to continue close diplomatic coordination to prevent the conflict from spreading and to work toward a political solution and durable peace.

       

      Both leaders underscored their resolve to continue supporting Ukraine to ensure it emerges from its war against Russia as a democratic, independent, sovereign, and secure nation that can deter and defend itself against future aggression. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the Korean Peninsula, and the East and South China Seas. The leaders also discussed their respective diplomacy with the People’s Republic of China and committed to continue close coordination.

       

      Recognizing the U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities, the leaders resolved to work together closely to address shared challenges and advance their vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Building on the historic Camp David Trilateral Summit in August, they agreed to accelerate trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea in all areas. They also highlighted increasing economic cooperation, and welcomed significant progress on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and the second meeting of the U.S.-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee (“Economic 2+2”).

       

      ###

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      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Leaders’ Statement on Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      A year and a half ago, we the leaders of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Thailand, the United States, and Viet Nam launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for our economies.  In record time, we have delivered on our goals.

       

      Here in San Francisco, California, our ministers signed the first-of-its-kind Supply Chain Agreement, and substantially concluded the negotiations on a groundbreaking Clean Economy Agreement and an innovative Fair Economy Agreement.  Our ongoing cooperation through these agreements will promote workers’ rights, increase our capacity to prevent and respond to supply chain disruptions, strengthen our collaboration on the transition to clean economies, and combat corruption and improve the efficiency of tax administration.  Thirteen of us have made progress on and continue to work towards a mutually beneficial Trade Pillar outcome that advances workers’ rights through strong and enforceable labor standards; improves economic opportunities for families, ranchers and farmers, and micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises; and promotes fair, open, and rules-based trade, accompanied by technical assistance and economic cooperation, benefiting all segments of society.

       

      Through these and new initiatives, we will continue to strengthen our regional cooperation and shared commitments to address emerging issues, drive innovation, and boost flows of commerce, trade, and investment across our markets.  That is why, today, we are launching the IPEF Critical Minerals Dialogue to foster closer collaboration on strengthening IPEF critical mineral supply chains and boosting regional economic competitiveness.  We intend to explore additional initiatives to advance cooperation and dialogue on areas of mutual interest, such as energy security and technology.  We also emphasize the importance of deepening people-to-people ties and intend to promote IPEF networks to share ideas and expertise among stakeholders in order to facilitate the participation of and ensure positive outcomes for all.

       

      We recognize that mobilizing high-standard public and private financing, including concessional financing at an increased scale as appropriate, will facilitate investments in our supply chain resilience and clean economy transitions.  We are committed to creating an investment environment that promotes sustainable development and our transition to net zero emissions economies and expands opportunities for decent work now and in the future.

       

      We have built IPEF to be an open, inclusive, flexible, enduring, and dynamic forum to further our shared interests, work together on critical economic issues that will drive growth now and in the future, and advance regional economic activity and integration.  Our meeting today sets a new foundation from which we will continue to make progress in the months and years ahead, including through the establishment of a ministerial-level IPEF Council that will meet annually, starting in 2024, and leaders’ meetings every two years.  Through our ongoing engagement and cooperation, IPEF will enhance our ability to promote workers’ rights, protect the environment, and create decent work and inclusive, sustainable economic opportunities in a future of peace, stability, development, and prosperity for all our people.

       

      ###

      -----------------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      FACT SHEET: In San Francisco, President Biden and 13 Partners Announce Key Outcomes to Fuel Inclusive, Sustainable Growth as Part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      Today, President Biden announced key outcomes of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) that will create a stronger, fairer, more resilient economy for families, workers, and businesses in the United States and in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States is an Indo-Pacific economic power, and expanding U.S. economic leadership in the region is good for American workers and businesses and for the people of the region.

       

      IPEF partners Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam represent 40 percent of the world’s GDP and are committed to advancing workers’ rights, facilitating high-standard trade and investment, and tackling pressing issues facing our countries, in particular: vulnerable supply chains; clean energy transitions; and corruption.  In record time, the United States and our IPEF partners have negotiated first-of-their-kind agreements to help achieve these goals:

       

      The IPEF Supply Chain Agreement will help partners promote diversification and resiliency in their supply chains, better identify supply chain vulnerabilities, establish an emergency communications channel to respond to disruptions arising from crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and promote high labor standards that respect workers across regional supply chains.

      The Clean Economy Agreement will help catalyze the economic opportunities arising from IPEF partners’ transitions to cleaner economies and, through cooperative work programs and the mobilization of public and private financing, will drive inclusive investment in the region and greater collaboration with the private sector.    

      The Fair Economy Agreement will enhance IPEF partners’ efforts to prevent and combat corruption, including bribery, and support efforts to improve tax transparency and tax administration, which will strengthen the investment climate in the region and ensure the benefits of economic growth are broadly shared.

      Each of the agreements includes novel provisions to protect labor rights, empower workers, and promote a race to the top as we seek to enhance our economic competitiveness.  These provisions include an innovative tri-partite Labor Rights Advisory Board to promote labor rights in supply chains and a reporting mechanism to identify facility-specific labor rights inconsistency issues in the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement; commitments to advance a just transition for workers in the IPEF Clean Economy Agreement; and strong labor commitments to combat corruption in labor law enforcement and to help prevent the exploitation of migrant workers, a particularly vulnerable group, in the IPEF Fair Economy Agreement.

       

      In addition to concluding these groundbreaking agreements, IPEF partners have made progress on and are committed to continuing negotiations to facilitate trade, advance workers’ rights through strong and enforceable labor standards, strengthen environmental protections, align our regulatory procedures, promote a fair and inclusive digital economy, deepen our technical assistance and economic cooperation, and advance inclusivity in our trade policy.

       

      The IPEF partners also agreed to establish the Agreement on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, which will establish a ministerial-level IPEF Council in support of the durability of IPEF and the IPEF agreements.

       

      The United States and our IPEF partners announced additional initiatives that will establish IPEF as a dynamic forum committed to tackling emerging, important issues in the future.

       

      The United States announced the novel IPEF Investment Accelerator – which is based off of the U.S. Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) and includes a new IPEF Project Preparation Facility run by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency – will strengthen the investment climate and promote high-standard investment outcomes that benefit workers and protect the environment in our IPEF partner economies.

      The IPEF Critical Minerals Dialogue will support U.S. expansion and development of our full critical mineral supply chain – from mining to processing – through efforts to strengthen the competitiveness and diversification of IPEF critical mineral supply chains.

      The IPEF Networks initiative will expand people-to-people ties, promote small business-to-small business matchmaking, facilitate connections among entrepreneurs, expand connectivity among civil society groups, and facilitate scientific, academic, and other research collaboration to help ensure the benefits of IPEF reach all segments of society and to increase diverse stakeholder participation in the advancement of IPEF’s initiatives going forward.

      Announced by President Biden while in Tokyo in May of 2022, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity establishes high-standard commitments to create a stronger, fairer, more resilient economy for families, workers, and businesses in the United States and in the Indo-Pacific region. IPEF enables the United States and our partners to decide on rules of the road to deepen our economic engagement in the region and benefit American workers and businesses — as well as the people of the region.

       

      ###

      ----------------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Highlights Nearly $200 Billion of Private Sector Investments from the Asia-Pacific into the United States Since Taking Office

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      Bidenomics and President Biden’s Investing in America agenda – including historic legislation signed into law, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, have catalyzed companies from around the world—and especially the Asia-Pacific— to make significant investments in American communities. These investments, driven by a range of companies across APEC and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) economies, not only facilitate domestic economic growth, but help to tackle the climate crisis, build a secure and resilient U.S. economy, and create good paying American jobs that deliver on President Biden’s vision to grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up.

       

      Today, as a part of APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and the APEC CEO Summit, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Director of the White House National Economic Council Lael Brainard, Chair of the U.S. Export–Import Bank (EXIM) Reta Jo Lewis, and Deputy Assistant to the President & Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell co-hosted an “Investing in America” and SelectUSA event that highlighted examples of significant job-creating investments in the United States by companies based in the Asia-Pacific.

       

      BY THE NUMBERS

       

      Historic Investments: Foreign direct investment in U.S. manufacturing has almost doubled annually compared to pre-pandemic levels. Companies based in the Asia-Pacific have announced almost $200 billion of investments into the United States since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, which will support tens of thousands of good new jobs for American workers.

      Industries of the Future: Companies based in Asia-Pacific economies have contributed to roughly one third of all major announced clean energy and semiconductors investments in the United States. This is directly tied to investments President Biden and partners in Congress have made through the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act.

      Rising Exports: U.S. exports to Asia-Pacific economies have increased 25 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels, helping U.S. businesses expand and hire more workers.

      RECENT & NEW INVESTMENTS

       

      The “Investing in America” event highlighted recent and new investments, including in the clean energy and semiconductor sectors, that demonstrate how U.S. economic ties with the Asia-Pacific and President Biden’s policies are helping to grow the American economy. They also show that the U.S. economy is attracting investment from not only large, global companies, but also smaller and medium-sized companies.

       

      CEO Joo Sun Choi of Samsung Display, a South Korea-based technology company, highlighted Samsung’s investments of over $17 billion to build a new semiconductor site in Texas and $12 billion with partners to build electric vehicle (EV) battery plants in the U.S., creating thousands of jobs. He also highlighted Samsung’s recent acquisition of a New York-based company that specializes in advanced micro display technology, which is used in consumer and defense applications.

      Executive Chairman Andrew Forrest of Fortescue, a global green metals, energy and technology company, announced today new investments to drive innovation and create jobs across the U.S. clean energy ecosystem, including a new facility in Michigan to design and manufacture batteries for electric transport and heavy industry applications, and electrolysers for green hydrogen production, which is expected to create up to 600 jobs; a new New York-based green energy investment accelerator platform, Fortescue Capital, which intends to raise funds for projects focused on scaling green energy technologies; and details on a green hydrogen production facility in Washington that could help replace tens of millions of gallons of diesel per year with green energy, to power American industry and transportation.

      CEO Thuy Le of VinFast, a Vietnam-based automotive company, highlighted $4 billion in recent investments to build a factory in Chatham County, North Carolina to make all-electric SUVs creating more than 7,000 jobs. Today VinFast shared details about its plans to build a manufacturing complex in North Carolina that will produce both electric vehicles and batteries. In partnership with the local community colleges, the facility will train and develop U.S. workers for high-paying jobs in the clean transportation industry.

      CEO Amanda Lacaze of Lynas Rare Earths, an Australia-based supplier of sustainable rare earth materials, highlighted its partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense to invest $258 million to build in Texas the only major Heavy Rare Earths separation plant outside of China, creating 100 well-paying skilled jobs. The facility will help to establish a globally resilient, safe and environmentally responsible rare earths supply chain and provide inputs that the U.S. technology and national security sectors need.

      Chief Business Officer Astrea Ocampo of Neolpharma, a Mexico-based pharmaceutical company, highlighted its investment of $16 million to expand its pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico, creating specialized local jobs and helping to develop a pipeline of skilled workers for the future.

      Additionally, today the U.S. Export–Import Bank (EXIM) announced a new $169M export promotion loan to BETA Technologies, a Burlington, Vermont-based company, which will enable it to expand its U.S.-based production of electric-powered aircraft and create an estimated 400 high-paying clean energy economy jobs. The loan was approved in part because of the company’s high growth trajectory, enabled by current and potential customers in APEC and IPEF economies such as New Zealand, India, Japan, and Canada. BETA Technologies demonstrates the importance of the Asia-Pacific as an export market to growing American businesses, while creating good jobs for American workers.

       

      ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS

       

      Companies based in the Asia-Pacific have announced almost $200 billion of investments into the United States since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, which will support tens of thousands of good, new jobs for American workers. Listed below are just a subset of the many major investments from companies in APEC and IPEF economies into the U.S. over the Biden-Harris Administration across clean energy, batteries, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and more. The SelectUSA program at the Department of Commerce has helped facilitate many of these investments, including over $55 billion in foreign direct investments supporting more than 35,000 jobs in 2023 alone.

       

      Chang Chun Group, the Taiwan-based chemicals company, announced a $300 million investment to build a plant in Casa Grande, Arizona, which will produce electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide, a key element in semiconductors, and create over 200 jobs.

      CS Wind, a South Korea-based wind turbine tower manufacturer, broke ground on an over $200 million expansion to their Pueblo, Colorado wind tower manufacturing facility, creating 850 jobs.

      Element 25, an Australia-based battery & power generation materials producer, announced a $290 million investment to build a facility in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, that is expected to create 150 jobs and supply up to 32,500 metric tons of manganese sulfate annually to support the annual production of more than 1 million EVs in North America. The company plans to further develop the facility with an additional investment of $190 million to supply anticipated future demand growth.

      Epsilon Advanced Materials, an India-based manufacturer of graphite, an essential component in electric vehicle batteries, announced a $650 million investment in a synthetic graphite manufacturing facility in Brunswick County, North Carolina, expected to create 500 jobs.

      Global Wafers, the Taiwan-based semiconductor wafer manufacturer, announced a $5 billion investment to build a wafer manufacturing plant in Sherman, Texas, creating 1,500 jobs.

      Hanwha Q CELLS, a South Korea-based energy solution provider, announced a $2.5 billion investment in Georgia to expand their plant in Dalton and build a new plant in Cartersville that will produce critical components for solar panels, as well as complete panels, creating 2,500 jobs.

      LG Chemical, the South Korea-based company, announced plans to invest $3.2 billion in a plant to manufacture EV battery materials in Clarksville, Tennessee, which will create more than 850 jobs. The plant aims to produce enough cathode battery materials to power 1.2 million EVs annually.

      LG Energy Solution, a South Korea-based battery manufacturer, announced a $5.6 billion investment in Queen Creek, Arizona, to build two advanced battery manufacturing facilities, creating 2,800 jobs. The company also announced a $3 billion investment in its Holland, Michigan battery manufacturing plant to install new production lines for battery cells, which is expected to create 1,200 jobs.

      Maxeon Solar Technologies, a Singapore-based solar energy company, announced an investment of over $1 billion into Albuquerque, New Mexico to build a silicon solar factory, creating 1,800 jobs.

      Orbia and Solvay, the Mexico and Belgium-based chemical producers, announced a $672 million investment—in concert with a $178 million Department of Energy grant— to build a new plant in Augusta, Georgia to produce polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a lithium-ion binder that will be used for more than 5 million EV batteries per year, creating hundreds of jobs.

      Panasonic Energy, a Japan-based battery cell producer, began construction on a new $4 billion facility in De Soto, Kansas, which will manufacture lithium-ion batteries, creating up to 4,000 jobs.

      SK Hynix, a South Korea-based semiconductor and memory chip maker, made a commitment to invest $15 billion to the semiconductor industry through research and development programs, materials, and the creation of an advanced packaging and testing facility.

      Sunlit Flou & Chemical Co., Ltd, a Taiwan-based semiconductor chemical supplier, announced a $50 million investment in a manufacturing facility, in Deer Valley, Arizona to produce hydrofluoric acid and other high purity grade industrial chemicals as well as enable material purification.

      TSMC, a Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer, announced a $40 billion investment in Phoenix, Arizona for a second chip plant, leading to 4,500 high-paying high-tech jobs by 2026.

      UNDBIO, a South Korea-based pharmaceutical company specializing in diabetic care, announced a $100 million investment into Morgantown, West Virginia to create an insulin production manufacturing facility, resulting in 200 jobs over the first three years of the project.

      VSK Energy LLC, a consortium backed by India-based solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar, announced an up to $1.5 billion investment into the U.S. solar energy supply chain, creating approximately 2,400 jobs. The investment will go towards a $250 million factory based in Brighton, Colorado—which will produce two gigawatts worth of modules and create 900 jobs—and an upcoming second $1.25 billion factory, which aims to create more than 1,500 jobs.

      ###

      -----------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Remarks by Vice President Harris at the APEC Women’s Economic Participation in the Industries of the Future Meeting | San Francisco, CA

       

      InterContinental San Francisco

      San Francisco, California

       

      THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hey, everyone.  Please have a seat.  Hi.  I have to check my watch.  Good afternoon.  (Laughter.)  Good afternoon.

       

      Thank you, Jen.  I have to say, I have the great privilege of working with Jen at the White House, and we travel the country and the world together, and I’m looking at her right there.  She really is an extraordinary fighter.

       

      And I wish that you all could see her in these rooms, because she is so very kind in terms of her disposition, but she will cut somebody’s throat — (laughter) — if they’re not doing the right thing.  It’s true.  (Laughter.)  So, thank you, Jen.  Thank you.

       

      And welcome to everyone.  There are leaders from government, civil society, philanthropy here.  And together we are doing extraordinary work.  And I see a lot of friends here as well.

       

      Mayor Breed, thank you for your leadership.  I’ve known you and worked with you throughout the various positions you and I have held in public office, and you really are a great fighter for the empowerment of women everywhere.  Thank you for that.  (Applause.)  

       

      So, we are all here because we agree women around the world should be able to fully participate in economic, political, and social life, and they must be able to participate equally and in positions of leadership.

       

      Currently, however, that is not the case.  There are nearly 200 countries in the world.  And of these, 176 maintain legal barriers to women’s economic participation.  Only six have a national legislature with 50 percent or more women serving.  And globally, one in five girls is married before the age of 18.

       

      So, clearly there is a lot more work to be done, including here in the United States.  And let us all agree that when we lift the economic status of women, children, their families, and all of society benefits.

       

      And when it comes to women in the workplace, the President and I know that organizing is critical to empowerment.  And to that end, I am pleased to announce that just last week in Las Vegas 35,000 members of the local culinary union — the vast majority women and women of color and immigrant women — led by a Latina, successfully negotiated for better benefits, stronger workforce and workplace safety protections, and the largest pay raise in their history.  (Applause.)  Yes.  So, yes, let us applaud their work as an important milestone in the long march toward progress.

       

      So, the majority of my career has been focused on the health, safety, and well-being of women and children.  And as Vice President, this work has now extended abroad.

       

      On nearly every trip I have taken overseas, from Guatemala to South Korea to Ghana, I have convened women entrepreneurs, activists, and students to partner with them to invest in their work and lift the next generation of women leaders.

       

      This focus led to an announcement that I made in March in Ghana that the public and private sectors have committed more than $1 billion to support economic empowerment of women globally with an emphasis on closing the digital gender divide.

       

      And today, then, as Jen said, to build on those investments, I am pleased to announce the launch of the women in the sustainable economy initiative also known as WISE. (Applause.)  Yes.

       

      So, this initiative will invest more than $900 million from the public and private sectors, including $163 million from the United States government.  These investments will support women in what is called the “blue and green economy,” which means supporting women in industries that contribute to a sustainable future, such as clean energy and conservation.

       

      And all of this work, of course, will help address the climate crisis but also with the recognition that the climate crisis has a disproportionate impact on women and children around the world.

       

      Though this new initiative, we will provide skills and training in areas such as engineering and the manufacturing of solar panels, we will increase access to finance for women-owned businesses in these industries, and we will increase girls’ access to STEM education.

       

      In the past eight months, I have partnered with the private sector and philanthropies to generate more than $2.4 billion to economically empower women around the world.  And I want to thank everyone here because many of you have been partners through that process of doing what we know is critically important, not only because it is morally right, ethically right, but it is how we will be on a path to increase security and prosperity around the world.

       

      It’s just really good for business.  (Laughter.)  And there’s a really profound return on the investment.

       

      So, it’s smart work, and it’s good work.  And I look around this room, and there are so many who have been in this fight for so long.  And I think it’s really important that we have a moment like this to celebrate the success that we have achieved thus far but to recommit ourselves to all that we have yet to do in partnership.

       

      And so, for those who have not signed up, I am here to also encourage you to do what I think is going to be something you will enjoy and will have a profound impact on generations to come.

       

      And with that, I thank you all.  And, Jen, I’d ask you to come back up so we continue the program.

       

      Thank you all.  (Applause.)

       

           END

      ----------------------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      FACT SHEET: Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Investor Forum

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      The United States is committed to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. To help realize that future, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), will work with IPEF partners and the private sector to scale high-standard investments, create more resilient economies, and drive long-term sustainable development.

       

      Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Senior Advisor to the President Amos Hochstein hosted thePGI IPEF Investment Forum to discuss collaborative actions and shared priorities to increase private investment in the Indo-Pacific. Participants included IPEF Government Officials and Co-CEO of KKR Joseph Bae; Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink; CEO of Citi Jane Fraser; Founder and Chairman of Fortescue Andrew Forrest; Founding Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners Matthew Harris; Founding Partner, Chairman and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners Adebayo Ogunlesi; President, CIO and CFO of Alphabet and Google Ruth Porat; Founder and CEO of RockCreek Afsaneh Beschloss; and Founding Partner and Executive Chair of TPG Jim Coulter.

       

      Looking forward, the United States will continue to engage the private sector to orient around investment opportunities in emerging markets. In particular, IPEF partners will host an annual IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum, beginning in 2024, to catalyze sustainable infrastructure and climate technology investments across IPEF economies that are party to the Clean Economy Agreement. The IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum will bring together the region’s largest investors, innovative start-up entrepreneurs, cutting-edge project proponents, and government agencies for matchmaking and investment facilitation.

       

      The United States also announced a new PGI IPEF Investment Accelerator to scale high-standard project financing to drive sustainable economic growth in IPEF countries. Through the PGI IPEF Investment Accelerator, the United States will work with IPEF partners to develop country-tailored investment approaches targeting key sectors identified by the IPEF partners. This new one-stop-shop will increase project-specific financing, upstream project development, and robust private sector engagement to the benefit of IPEF partners. The Accelerator will focus on high-standard outcomes, including strong worker and environmental protections.  

       

      As part of the Accelerator, USTDA is launching an IPEF Project Preparation Facility that will bring in additional funding to support the full life-cycle of project preparation while leveraging experienced solutions from USTDA, including project planning, architectural and engineering design, transactional advisory services, feasibility studies, procurement assistance, and other technical assistance. The Facility will be cabined to IPEF emerging markets and the U.S. Government will make an initial contribution of $15 million.

       

      To support the proposed IPEF Supply Chain Agreement, Clean Economy Agreement, and Fair Economy Agreement, the United States and its IPEF partners are deepening their engagement with the private sector and mobilizing investment through new programs, incentives, and partnerships. IPEF partners are establishing the IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund to pool resources and expand the pipeline of bankable climate projects. The Private Infrastructure Development Group will administer the fund and mobilize private capital by offering later-stage support to projects such as lender due diligence, viability gap funding, and other forms of concessional capital, in support of the IPEF partners’ shared objectives and goals under the Clean Economy Agreement. In addition, the U.S. Department of Commerce entered into a new public private partnership to mobilize engagement and investment from the private and nonprofit sector to strengthen Indo-Pacific supply chains, promote environmental sustainability, expand upskilling for workers, and grow economic opportunity in the IPEF economies in support of the objectives under these three agreements.

       

      Key Investments in 2023 from the U.S. Government and U.S. Private Sector in the Indo-Pacific

       

      The U.S. Government and U.S. private sector also highlighted tens of billions of dollars of investments that boost and connect economic development in the Indo Pacific.

       

      The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Government of India are continuing to partner toward a combined up to $1 billion investment in the India Green Transition Fund. This private credit Fund will target market-based returns, provide climate impact benefits, and accelerate the development of clean-energy transition projects in India through investments in solar, energy storage, and e-mobility.  The Fund, and all projects in which it invests will adhere to DFC’s environmental and social policies and procedures, as well as international environmental and social standards, including the IFC Performance Standards.

      DFC reaffirmed its intent to sign a Letter of Interest with Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast at COP28.  This partnership reflects DFC’s continued efforts with VinFast to support a domestic electric vehicle manufacturing industry in Vietnam, as well as the supply chains and infrastructure required for its success.     

      Citi helped facilitate nearly $12 billion worth of transactions around the world, advancing sustainability and the clean energy transition, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s green bond, LG Energy Solution’s global green bond, Malaysian energy company Petronas’ India-based green ammonia venture, LG Energy Solution’s new electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in Arizona, and General Motors & Samsung SDI’s new EV battery cell plant in Indiana.

      Citi provided a $100 million trade loan to ICICI Bank, supporting on-lending to low-income women micro-entrepreneurs primarily in rural India.

      ExxonMobil signed two agreements with Indonesia this week, which could comprise up to a $15 billion investment and substantially boost industrial growth and decarbonization in Indonesia and potentially across the Asia-Pacific, by assessing the potential for a carbon sequestration hub and exploring development of a lower emissions petrochemical facility enabled by carbon sequestration.

      Global Infrastructure Partners highlighted that since acquiring Vena Energy in 2018, it has more than doubled the pipeline of projects under development, including operations in Korea, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and Singapore. In 2023, Vena Energy, a major diversified renewable energy company in the Asia Pacific region, developed 2.4GW of renewable energy projects in the Philippines and was also awarded 82 megawatts (MW) of solar projects in Thailand’s latest Feed-in-Tariff scheme auction in 2022.

      Google announced collaborations with the Governments of Thailand and Malaysia to bolster government cloud partnerships and policies, support digital upskilling, and expand infrastructure investments.

      KKR announced a $250 million follow-on investment ($675 million total) in an Indian decarbonization platform, Serentica Renewables, to support the company’s effort to achieve 4000 MW of installed renewable energy capacity that will aid clean energy delivery to large-scale industrial customers.

      KKR announced a $400 million investment in Optic Marine Services: an offshore telecom infrastructure services provider operating in the Asia–Pacific region, and a $665 million investment in Singtel, one of the largest data center operators in Singapore.

      KKR announced a $230 million investment into LEAP India Private Limited, the largest Indian pallet pooling player with a pan-India network of 21 warehouses and 3,500 customer locations.

      DFC announced a partial credit guarantee, designed with and supported by USAID, to Kotak Mahindra Bank to provide up to $200 million of funding to non-banking financial companies and microfinance institutions supporting women borrowers and micro, small, and medium enterprise borrowers in India.

      DFC announced a $20 million direct loan to Amartha Nusantara Raya to support expansion of Amartha’s microfinance lending to entrepreneurs in rural villages in Indonesia, specifically to women-owned and women-operated businesses in Indonesia.  

      USTDA intends to provide a grant to Indonesia’s state-owned power generation and distribution utility, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara to fund a feasibility study to support the development and implementation of renewable energy mini-grids for five sites in eastern Indonesia. This project is a key collaboration under the Net Zero World initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Energy and National Labs, as well as the Just Energy Transition Partnership program with Indonesia.

      USTDA announced a feasibility study to develop the MYUS submarine fiber optic cable system in a partnership with Malaysian company Hexa Capital Consultancy.  The project would provide a direct link between Southeast Asia and the United States to add critical capacity for secure and cost-effective digital connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

      USTDA announced a feasibility study to support Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) to deploy open radio access network (Open RAN) technology that will provide digital connectivity for more than 1,600 unserved villages across Indonesia. The study will include a proof-of-concept to inform larger-scale deployment of Open RAN technology in support of Kominfo’s mandate to provide universal access for all Indonesians.

      USTDA announced a feasibility study for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to help deploy a fleet of low or zero-emission battery shunter locomotives for use in Bangkok and other train stations and throughout the country. This partnership will advance SRT’s strategy to modernize its railway system while decarbonizing and improving air quality by reducing locomotive emissions.

      USTDA announced a feasibility that will support the implementation of priority power interconnection across mainland Southeast Asia. The initial study will focus on two high-priority interconnection grid projects between Indonesia and Malaysia. The study will help to better utilize renewable energy resources and implement policies to advance clean energy and climate protection goals across Southeast Asia.

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      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Remarks by President Biden at the APEC CEO Summit | San Francisco, CA

       

       

      11:20 A.M. PST

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning.  Please, have a seat.  Welcome to San Francisco.  (Applause.)  This Moscone Center is about as big as my state.  (Laughter.)

       

      This is a city of — synonymous with innovation and breaking barriers, where collaboration and coming together have always been key to unlocking our potential.  It’s a city that has been shaped by centuries of deep ties to the Asia-Pacific region and by contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Island heritage.

       

      So, San Francisco is a natural place to gather to innovate and collaborate for the 2023 APEC Summit, the CEO Summit, and all the events we’re — taking place this week.

       

      And I want to to talk — I want to thank everyone who has made this week possible, especially those serving on APEC’s Executive Secretariat, APEC Business Advisory Council, the National Center for APEC, and so many others.  

       

      Today, 21 APEC economies make up more than 60 percent — more than 60 percent of the global GDP.  We’re almost half the global trade.  The Asia-Pacific is projected to be the largest contributor of global growth over the next 30 years.

       

      So, the vision we pursue for the economic future of our region will rebound far beyond the Asia-Pacific.  The choices we make are going to matter — it’s not hyperbole to suggest — for the entire world.

       

      It’s up to us to harness the dynamism of our economies and tap the entrepreneu- — entrepreneurial spirit of our people and unleash the potential — the unlimited potential of our partnerships in order to realize a future that will benefit people not only in the Asia-Pacific region but the whole world, and I mean that sincerely — people everywhere.  A future where our prosperity is shared and is inclusive, where workers are empowered and their rights are respected, where our economies are sustainable and resilient, and the bridges that connect our people open a golden gate of opportunity to create lives of hope.

       

      Just lives of hope.  Most people are just — just hope.

      You know, that’s been my approach here in the United States from the moment my administration took office.

       

      We’re building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up.  The trickle-down economy worked okay sometimes, but not a whole lot trickled down to my dad’s kitchen table.

       

      But when the middle class does well, the poor have a chance and the wealthy still do very well.  Because what happens — the poor have a ladder up, the middle class and the wealthy still do well.

       

      Folks, we’re already seeing the results.

       

      The last quarter, the American economy grew 4.9 percent — the highest growth rate in two years.  More people in the United States — (applause) — because of many of you sitting here, the CEOs — (laughter) — let’s give credit where it’s due — more people in the United States are in the workforce today than at any time in American history.

       

      Our unemployment has been under 4 percent for 21 straight months.  Inflation has come down by 65 percent.  More to do.  We now have the lowest inflation of any — the lowest inflation rate of any advanced economy in the world.  And meanwhile, median household wealth has grown by 37 percent in real terms since before the pandemic.

       

      I acknowledge there’s a disconnect between the numbers and how people feel about their place in the world right now, and we can deal with the second part as well.  We still have work to do, but our model for growing is delivering real results for all Americans — significant Black unemployment, Latino unemployment, et cetera.

       

      The strength of our economy is driving growth and spurring investment throughout our entire region — and, again, because of many of you sitting in front of me made those judgements.  And it’s drawing investments to the United States, especially from Asia-Pacific economies.

       

      Since the start of my administration, companies from across the Asia-Pacific have invested over $200 billion in the United States.  These are historic investments, creating literally tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.  We’re — 14 million created just since we came to office all across America in the industries that are going to shape the future of this globe: semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, critical materials, hydrogen hubs, and other critical and emerging technologies.

       

      I’ve long said: It’s never been a good bet to bet against the American people.  Never.  (Applause.)  No, I mean it.  Think about it.  It’s never been a good bet, and we’re proving it once more.

       

      So, my message to all of you here today is: Leaders of government and industry, you can count on the United States.  We’re delivering on our promises and we’re doubling down on our progress.  We’ll soon — we’ll soon be your strong and steady partner as we continue working together to realize the Asia-Pacific region that is free and open, prosperous and secure, resilient and connected.

       

      By the way, twice since I’ve been president, I’ve had the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Islands come to meet with me in the United States.  They’re all part of it.

       

      I thought when I left the G20 and Vietnam desperately wanted to see me and raise the relationship, it brought me back when I stood in front of that monument to John McCain — all my days growing up, I never thought that would ever occur.

       

      Today, I’d like to talk a little about the work we’ve done in the region to get there and how we’re going to go about seeing this road forward.  

       

      I’ve said for a long time: The United States is a Pacific power.

       

      I had that brief discussion yesterday with President Xi.  He asked why we so — he had asked me before; I reminded him why I — we are so engaged in the Pacific.  It’s because we’re a Pacific nation.  And because of us, there’s been peace and security in the region, allowing you to grow.  He didn’t disagree.

       

      By the way, it was a very good, straightforward meeting.

       

      We aren’t going anywhere.  For decades, America’s enduring commitment to the region has been a springboard that’s enabled growth — transformative growth, ensured the open flow of commerce, and lifted millions of people out of poverty.

       

      Today, that relationship goes both ways.  The United States remains vital to the future of the region, and the region is more vital than ever to the United States of America.

       

      That’s been my administration’s outlook from day one, and we clearly laid out our approach with our Indo-Pacific Strategy.

       

      We are delivering across the board, including when it comes to our shared economic agenda.

       

      The United States has deep ties with our fellow APEC economies.  More than 60 percent of U.S. exports go to fellow APEC economies.  Robust, two-way investment between the United States and APEC countries supports good jobs and new opportunities all across the region.

       

      And American businesses — significantly represented here in this auditorium — are the largest source of foreign direct investment into APEC economies.  In fact, if we take just the U.S. companies represented here at this summit and look at their new investments [into] APEC economies in the calendar year, it totaled more than $50 billion so far.

       

      Investments announced today from co- — from companies like Amazon, United, Delta, Microsoft to make sure our region is more inclusive and interconnected.

       

      Investments announced today from companies like Boeing, Apple, Flexport, and Pepsi-Cola — the Pepsi company, I should say — to make our economies greener and more sustainable.

       

      Investments today from companies like IBM, Organon, Visa — look, they make up — they make our region more resilient and ma- — you all make it more secure.

       

      Here in this world — this world-renowned hub of innovation, leading — leading tech companies like Anthropic and — I’m going to mispronounce — I’m not going to even try.  (Laughter.)  It’s better not to try and not mispronounce than try and mispronounce.  (Laughter.)

       

      The point is: Small- and medium-sized businesses and startups are getting into action as well.

       

      All of the announcements translate into real country — real outcomes that matter to people’s lives.  They’re proof that a strong, dynamic American economy is an engine of growth — economic growth and innovation throughout the entire region.

       

      And they’re testament to the fact that American investment and American ingenuity are in high demand all across the region.  Because when you do business with the United States and our companies, you know what you’re getting: high standards, fair practices, protections for workers, world-class ideas and innovation, and a commitment to deal with the environment, finally.  It’s a quality guarantee.

       

      Look, this is how we’ve been able to mobilize billions in investment, including major new announcements this morning through our Partnership for Global In- — Infrastructure and Investment.

       

      We also worked closely to deepen our bilateral economic cooperation with partners throughout the region, especially on the issues that will most impact our future economic success.

       

      For example, in September when I traveled to Vietnam, as I mentioned earlier, to mark a historic new phase in our partnership of our countries, we committed to work together to strengthen the semiconductor supply chain.

       

      With India, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Singapore, we’ve launched new initiatives to shape the technologies and standards that will transform the future.

       

      We’ve deepened economic partnership with the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and others.

       

      We’ve renewed and elevated our engagement with critical regional bodies, including ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum.

       

      And when we — and when we offered to host APEC two years ago, we committed to modernizing this institution to make it easier for us to work together as we take on the challenges of a new era.  And there are many challenges.

       

      We’re going to see more changes in the next 10 years than we’ve seen in the last 50 years.

       

      That brings me back to the summit and where we go from here.  The world is fundamentally different than it was 30 years ago at the first annual APEC Leaders’ Meeting at Blake Island in Washington State.

       

      The questions we must answer today are not about how much we trade, but about how we build resilience, lift up working people, reduce carbon emissions, and set up our economies to succeed over the long run.  How to deliver growth from the bottom up and the middle out so no one gets left behind.

       

      And the idea behind this new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework — a partnership among 14 diverse and dynamic nations, all committed to tackling urgent issues like pandemic response, vulnerable supply chains, climate change, and natural disasters, which we have learned can gravely impact our economies.

       

      We’ve announced the framework in May of 2022.  And later today, we are launching an important new tool to promote sustainable economic growth and create a race to the top, not the bottom.

       

      They are tangible commitments negotiated in record time that are going to deliver meaningful outcomes — meaningful outcomes to make supply chains more resilient, facilitate clean-energy transition, and fight corruption.

       

      For example, our new supply chain agreement will allow us to better monitor for supply chain challenges before they become the kind of full-scale disruptions we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure we’re better prepared to shift and adapt when disruptions do occur.  And they will.

       

      I know you all know better than I our work is not yet done.  This framework will be a platform for ongoing economic cooperation.  And we will continue working to better facilitate high-standard trade that advances workers’ rights through strong enforceable of labor standards.

       

      And every step — at every step, we have upheld our commitment to unions.  Each of the framework pillars includes strong, pro-labor outcomes that will benefit workers of all economies.

       

      It’s critical to building a stronger, fairer, more resilient economy for families across the Indo-Pacific.

       

      This week, my administration has launched our new Global Labor Strategy to ensure that workers’ rights are the centerpiece of our economic strategy internationally, as well as domestically.  That’s a primary concern to me.

       

      Last week in Illinois, I congratulated the UAW on their record contract with the Big Three U.S. auto companies.

       

      The contract is going to lead to thousands of new jobs, billions of dollars in plant investment to keep American auto industry strong and competitive.

       

      And I urge any company investing in America to enter into partnerships with the most highly skilled, dedicated, and engaged workers anywhere in the world: American labor.

       

      And, folks, I asked the Treasury Department to do a study: When labor does well, what does that do to people all o- — all over — non-labor folks around the country?  Everyone benefits.

       

      And, by the way, the reason many of you use labor is because they’re the best workers in the world.  Union.  It’s not like you show up one day and say, “I want to be an electrician.”  You show up one day and they say, “You got five years to practice.”  And then you get a card.

       

      I’m also intent on responsibly managing the competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.   That’s what we talked a little bit about yesterday — President Xi and I.  That’s what the world expects of us.  And I promise you, that’s what we’re doing.

       

      I met with Xi yesterday, leader to leader, to make sure there is no miscommunication between us.  As always — and I’ve met with him more than any other world leader, because when I was Vice President, it was concluded that I should get to know him.  It wasn’t appropriate for the President of the United States to be meeting with the Vice President.

       

      We’ve had, prior to this, 68 hours of private meetings just he and I, each with a simultaneous interpreter.  Our discussions have always been candid and constructive.  I again emphasized to President Xi that the United States does not seek conflict.

       

      And yesterday, we announced resumption of military-to-military communication channels to reduce the risk of accidental miscalculation.  And it exists.  (Applause.)

       

      This is not — as my generation would say back in the day, this is not all “Kumbaya.”  But it’s straightforward.  It’s straightforward.  We have real differences with Beijing when it comes to maintaining fair and level economic playing field and protecting your intellectual property.  We’re going to continue to address them with smart policies and strong diplomacy.

       

      We’ve also taken targeted action to protect our vital national security interest.

       

      But let me be clear: We are de-risking and diversifying our econ- — economic relationship with the PRC, not decoupling.  Not decoupling.  We’ll be firm in standing up for our values and our interests.  And I was very straightforward, as he was with me yesterday.

       

      At the same time, on critical global issues such as climate, AI, counternarcotics, where it makes sense to work together, we’ve committed to work together.  We’re going to continue our commitment to diplomacy to avoid surprises and prevent misunderstandings.

       

      A stable relationship between the world’s two largest economies is not merely good for those two economies but for the world — a stable relationship.  It’s good for everyone.  (Applause.)

       

      Let me close with this.  The Leaders’ Statement from that first Blake Island summit 30 years ago captured a shared commitment to, quote, “deepening the spirit of community,” end of quote, among our economies.  For all that has changed over the past three decades, we have to continue to summon the spirit of community to meet the challenges of today and to seize the enormous possibilities that exist.

       

      My staff is tired of hearing me say this for the last I don’t know how many years: The world is at an inflection point where the decisions we make today — this is not hyperbole — are going to shape the direction of the world for decades to come — for decades to come.  Just think of AI.

       

      That’s particularly true in the Asia-Pacific, where so much of the future of our world will be written.  And I would argue, each of us has a play — has a part to play in writing that future together.

       

      So, today, I challenge all of us to measure our successes not based on the bottom lines of our balance sheets but by the lives we lift up through our investments, the potential we unleash with our innovation, and the ability to continue to talk with one another.

       

      Let’s build a global economy where everyone has a chance to succeed and workers have a fair shot, a fair share of the value they create.

       

      The United States is stepping up because of many of you in this room.  We’re not talking the talk; we’re backing it up with commitments.  And we’re going to see us — you’re going to see us follow through.

       

      So, I want to thank you again for joining us in San Francisco; thank you for your commitment to APEC and the future of the Pacific — Asia-Pacific region; and thank you for everything you’ve already done to make this summit a success.

       

      We can do more.

       

      God bless you all.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

       

      11:41 A.M. PST

      ---------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Remarks by President Biden at an APEC Informal Dialogue and Working Lunch | San Francisco, CA

       

      Moscone Center

      San Francisco, California

       

      12:45 P.M. PST

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Is this on?  Yes, it is.  Well, good afternoon, everyone.  I was waiting out there for the tide to subside.

       

      Welcome.  Welcome to our first APEC leaders’ session.  I really appreciate the fact that you’re all here.  And thank you.  And I hope the city has been good to you.  

       

      And earlier this morning, I spoke with the — at the CEO Summit.  And I said that our world stands at an inflection point — a point where the decisions we make now are going to determine the course of the world, not just a few of our countries, for the next several decades — of consequence.   

       

      Nowhere is that more true than when it comes to climate.  Every economy around this table faces this challenge — every one of us.  And as I’ve said before, it’s the only existential threat to humanity.  We either get this right or there’s not going to be a whole lot of people around to talk about it.

       

      Every economy has seen signs of what’s to come if we don’t act — droughts, floods, seas rising, temperatures rising, and more and more unpredictable weather patterns, and more un- — more and more unpredictable markets.

       

      As a region, were responsible for the largest share — the region we’re talking about here around this circular table, we’re responsible for the largest share of global emissions, so we must also bear responsibility for the solutions while we still have time to change course.

       

      Earlier this week, I released the Fifth U.S Climate Assessment, mapping out what we’ve done and how far we have left to go.

       

      But the fact is, it’s only together that we’re going to be able to make any real progress.  Any one of us who gets to zero emissions, it’s not going to change the world; we have to do it together.  Only together can we keep the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius within our reach.

       

      Here at home, I’m proud to say the United States is doing our part.

       

      One year ago, I signed what we called the Inflation Reduction Act — the largest investment in the climate fight ever, anywhere in the world.

       

      Two years ago, I signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — the biggest investment in infrastructure in American history, including what we call our “clean power” sector.

       

      And over the last three years, we’ve helped mobilize more than half a trillion dollars in private sector investment, including to scale up technologies like offshore wind, advanced nuclear, clean hydrogen, direct air capture, and more.

       

      These investments not only put the United States on track to achieve our 1.5 degree alignment goal — aligned goal by cutting emissions by 50 percent by 2030, they’re creating jobs — good-paying jobs, jobs you can raise a family on.  And they’re helping lower the cost of clean energy and climate technologies for nations around the world by as much as 25 percent in some areas.

       

      But we can’t stop here.  We have so much more work to do.

       

      You all know as well as I do the impacts of climate change are being felt most by those who have contributed the least to the problem.  Let me say that again: You know the impacts of climate change are being felt the most by those countries that contribute the least to the problem, including developing countries.

       

      We contributed a lot here in the United States over the year — the last 300 years.  That’s why I’m working with our Congress to dramatically increase international climate financing.

       

      And this year, the world is on track to meet the climate finance pledge that we made under the Paris Agreement of $100 billion collectively.

       

      I’ve also asked Congress for another $25 billion to strengthen the role of the multilateral development banks in fighting the climate crisis as well as — as well as starting with the World Bank.  Because climate security, energy security, and food security — they’re all related, as all of you know.  I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.

       

      On top of this, we focused on ending deforestation.  Forests are key to our future.

       

      In the United States alone, they absorb 10 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions as they stand today.

       

      We’re also working with partners around the table to mobilize $1 billion to conserve the Amazon and other critical ecosystems in Latin America.  You know, the Amazon is a great carbon sink; it absorbs more carbon from the air on a daily basis than the United States emits on a daily basis.  And it should be preserved, and they need help in doing it.

       

      The United States also ratified the — the Kigali Amendment, which will drastically produc- — reduce the production of super potent hi- — HFCs.

       

      And finally, the Global Methane Pledge we launched two years ago together with just seven other countries and the European Union has grown to include 150 countries.

       

      And here at home, the United States is turning this pledge into progress.  We’re investing more than $20 billion in methane mitigation to do things like plugging leaks throughout our oil and gas sectors.  All told, in 2023, these steps, if finalized, will reduce methane emissions from covered sources by 87 percent below the 2005 levels.

       

      I encourage everyone around this table to also take strong national actions, because as that — as I said earlier, it will take all of us to meet this moment.

       

      With the right commitments from every economy here, we can limit — we can limit warming, we can build new energy futures and leave no one behind, and we can turn — we can turn this moment into a great — from great peril into a moment of great possibility.

       

      And the moment where we stood together to protect our people and preserve our planet for future generations — that’s the moment we’re at right now.  That’s the chance we have.  That’s what this session is all about.

       

      I’m looking forward to hearing directly from each of you about your climate needs and priorities, what help you may need as well.  And I’m looking forward to finding new ways to maximize our impact.

       

      And now, I’d ask the press to depart, which will only take about two minutes, I’m sure.  No, we’ll ask the press to depart.

       

      And I’m going to turn it over to Secretary Kerry, my Special Envoy on Climate, so we can get that conversation going.

       

      And thank you.

       

      12:52 P.M. PST

      --------------------------------------------------

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      FACT SHEET: $50B+ of U.S. Private Sector Investments into APEC Economies, as well as Private Sector Contributions to Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Resilience

      HOME

      BRIEFING ROOM

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

      Under President Biden’s leadership, the U.S. host year of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has demonstrated that the United States is uniquely positioned to drive sustainable, inclusive, dynamic growth in one of the most vibrant and economically important regions in the world.

       

      American businesses are the largest source of foreign direct investment in APEC economies. The United States’ strong and resilient economy remains an indispensable driver of prosperity and innovation across our partners in the Asia-Pacific. Our public and private sectors continue to deliver for APEC economies, catalyzing sustainable, high-quality investments that create good jobs within APEC member economies as well as in the United States.

       

      Many of these investments also advance the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), President Biden and the G7’s flagship infrastructure initiative for leveraging the expertise and financing from the private sector to scale quality investments in low- and middle-income countries to generate economic growth.

       

      Today, U.S. companies represented at the APEC CEO Summit highlighted and announced over $50 billion of investments into APEC economies in 2023. This slate of announcements includes:

       

      Nearly $25 billion in additional investments to increase digital connectivity and resilience throughout our region, including new subsea cables—both across the Pacific and within APEC economies—that will result in more than $1 trillion in GDP over the next four years, making our economies more interconnected and secure.

      50+ new direct flights per week from the United States to APEC economies to support increased people-to-people & business-to-business ties and trade/shipping; this steep growth in flights marks the largest U.S. airline expansion into the South Pacific in history.

      Significant investments in a wide range of sustainability and clean energy technologies, including carbon sequestration, grid decarbonization, and sustainable aviation fuel.

      Trailblazing investments and financings that both drive economic growth and advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s values, including an investment in an environmental markets platform that includes an employee ownership plan, an investment into a South Carolina manufacturing facility to produce generic and high-quality drugs for the APEC region, and more.

      Tens of millions invested in—and the launch of multiple new platforms dedicated to—cybersecurity and preparedness, particularly for small- and medium-sized businesses.

      New training and opportunities—including seed funds and hands on training—for hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, underrepresented groups, and small businesses.

      More than two dozen new partnerships between cutting edge U.S. companies and APEC-based universities that will focus on catalyzing technology innovations across semiconductors, augmented & virtual reality, and a new 100,000 qubit quantum-centric supercomputer.

      Participating companies—represented by over 200 CEOs and C-Suite Executives in attendance at the APEC CEO Summit—made announcements supporting the three policy pillars of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, making the Asia-Pacific more: (1) Inclusive and Interconnected, (2) Green and Sustainable, and (3) Resilient and Secure. These announcements include:

       

      Inclusive & Interconnected Pillar:

      Example investments from American companies that will further the integration of a “Digital Pacific,” foster broader economic participation, and promote equality and inclusion, include:

       

      Amazon and the U.S. Department of State launched a public-private partnership in Latin America in support of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program and American Spaces (Mexico-based), which includes pitch competition seed funds and access to Amazon learning products for more than 100 women entrepreneurs.

      Amazon Global Selling launched its first cross-border e-commerce launchpad program in Singapore, an initiative to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with growth opportunities in cross-border e-commerce, assisting 100+ Singapore micro-SMEs to launch/scale their brands.

      Amazon Web Services announced plans to invest $20.26 billion into highly secure and resilient cloud infrastructure over the next 15 years across Australia ($8.38 billion by 2027), South Korea ($5.88 billion by 2027), and Malaysia ($6 billion by 2037).

      Amazon Web Services committed to train 100,000 people in New Zealand with cloud skills over the next five years, particularly underrepresented communities such as women, Māori, and Pasifika.

      Anthropic announced a $100 million partnership/investment with SKT which will provide AI capabilities to the Korean telecom provider; the companies together will also develop custom, multi-lingual AI models to best meet the needs of telecom providers around the world.

      Astranis Space Technologies invested $100 million to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet connectivity to millions of citizens in the Philippines across thousands of rural schools, hospitals, and SMEs via its MicroGEO broadband satellites, in partnership with Astranis’ Philippines-based partner, Orbits Corp.

      Coupang newly committed over $40 million in 2024—and $130+ million over the next 3 years—across Asia in additional funds toward the recruitment, employment, and promotion of women in the areas of software engineering, data science, and logistics, professions in which women have been traditionally underrepresented.

      Delta Air Lines rolled out nonstop flights to Asia, including an announcement earlier today on a new daily service from Atlanta to Seoul, Korea; as well as recently announced daily service from Seattle—and three flights a week from Detroit—to Shanghai, China; and daily flights from Honolulu and Minneapolis to Tokyo, Japan.

      Google announced its support of the APEC App Challenge, in partnership with the APEC Secretariat and the Asia Foundation, continuing to nurture the growth of developers, the driving force behind innovative digital solutions.

      Google, earlier today, announced collaborations with the Governments of Thailand and Malaysia to bolster government cloud partnerships and policies, support digital upskilling, and expand infrastructure investments.

      Google and partners will deliver two new trans-Pacific subsea cables, helping increase the reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in the Pacific; these types of investments will drive economic benefits of approximately $627 billion in GDP between 2022 and 2026.

      KKR announced a $400 million investment in Optic Marine Services: an offshore telecom infrastructure services provider operating in the Asia–Pacific region, and a $665 million investment in Singtel: one of the largest data center operators in Singapore.

      KKR announced its investments in digital connectivity for the Philippines by supporting its portfolio company Pinnacle Towers in a “buy and build” acquisition strategy to establish a network of mobile phone towers.

      KKR pioneered a private equity investment ($68 million in GreenCollar, an environmental market platform) in Australia with a broad-based Employee Ownership Plan, which enabled GreenCollar’s employees to share in the proceeds from the sale.

      Mastercard announced earlier this week its Center for Inclusive Growth is launching Strive Women, and its Impact Fund will invest $9 million into the initiative, improving the financial health of women-led micro/SMEs and reaching more than 6 million entrepreneurs across Peru, Vietnam, and Pakistan.

      Meta announced it is building and investing in significant new trans-Pacific and intra-Asia Pacific regional subsea cables that have been estimated to contribute over $422 billion in additional regional GDP (in real terms) over four years, and support up to 3.7 million additional jobs.

      Meta announced it is providing researchers in APEC with access to research grants and engagement opportunities on innovative new technologies: the APAC XR Academic Network, launched in October 2023, brings together academics and researchers from 14 universities across 8 APEC economies, working on 19 pieces of independent research.

      Meta announced it will provide artificial intelligence (AI) training to 500 million people across APEC economies in 2024, particularly entrepreneurs from micro/SMEs; the training highlights how AI tools can support digital transformation in key sectors and boost business productivity.

      Micron announced partnerships with 17 universities and polytechnics across APEC member economies in Asia to strengthen, scale, and cultivate a robust and inclusive semiconductor workforce for the future to complement the American workforce; Micron also announced the establishment of the U.S.-Japan University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors (UPWARDS) for the Future with six U.S. and five Japanese universities.

      Microsoft is expanding high-speed internet access and meaningful connectivity through its partnership with satellite internet provider Kacific for the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, and other countries; the partnership is focused initially on 750 schools and healthcare clinics with the goal to extend internet access to 10 million people by the end of 2025.

      Microsoft recently announced a $3.2 billion investment in Australia, which will expand the company’s data center and AI infrastructure over the next two years and train more than 300,000 Australians with the skills required for a cloud and AI-enabled economy.

      NVIDIA announced support of 5,000+ startups (nearly 1,000 new over 2023) via its Inception program across APEC economies by providing cutting-edge technology, opportunities to connect with venture capitalists, and access to the latest technical resources.

      RingMD invested $5 million in digital infrastructure to support the Government of India’s common service center initiative under Digital India – the initiative will promote telehealth services as a component of the healthcare system to 800+ million underserved rural citizens.

      RingMD will invest $6 million to enhance the Digital Health system of Vietnam’s Ministry of Health by modernizing an interoperable electronic health/medical record system for their main hospitals – the program will be rolled out over all 60+ Vietnamese districts.

      United Airlines made the largest South Pacific network expansion in aviation history in 2023, adding 40% more flights between the U.S. and Australia/New Zealand, and new non-stop flights from the U.S. to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, and Manila; additionally, this fall, United is resuming daily flights between San Francisco and Beijing and will increase flights to Shanghai from San Francisco, thanks to the U.S. government’s engagement with China.

      Green & Sustainable Pillar:

      Example investments from American companies that will support the clean energy transition and sustainable business practices across APEC economies, include:

       

      Apple announced a new partnership with Gravity Water in Vietnam to provide climate-resilient rainwater harvesting and filtration technology to over 130 schools in Hòa Bình Province; in its first year, the initiative is estimated to provide over 30,000 children in need with access to reliable drinking water, while conserving 15.4 million gallons of groundwater.

      Apple helped launch the Clean Energy Buyers’ Alliance’s Clean Energy Procurement Academy last month; the initiative aims to educate suppliers operating across industries within the Asia-Pacific region on clean energy markets, and help build their capacity to procure renewables like wind and solar projects.

      Boeing will partner with APEC economies to advance efforts in developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply chains and promoting its use by the region’s airlines, reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions dramatically compared to conventional jet fuel, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration.

      Citi helped facilitate nearly $12 billion worth of transactions around the world, advancing sustainability and the clean energy transition, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s green bond, LG Energy Solution’s global green bond, Malaysian energy company Petronas’ India-based green ammonia venture, LG Energy Solution’s new electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in Arizona, and General Motors & Samsung SDI’s new EV battery cell plant in Indiana.

      ExxonMobil signed two agreements with Indonesia this week, which could comprise up to a $15 billion investment and substantially boost industrial growth and decarbonization in Indonesia and potentially across the Asia-Pacific, by assessing the potential for a carbon sequestration hub and exploring development of a lower emissions petrochemical facility enabled by carbon sequestration.

      Flexport, in partnership with CHOOOSE, launched an aviation decarbonization solution last week, offering its air freight customers easy access to sustainable aviation fuel certificates via a book-and-claim system.

      Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, will partner with TransitionZero in building an open-source electricity modeling tool for policymakers to accelerate grid decarbonization, helping them carry out detailed energy system and investment planning.

      KKR announced a $250 million follow-on investment ($675 million total) in an Indian decarbonization platform, Serentica Renewables, to support the company’s effort to achieve 4000 megawatts of installed renewable energy capacity that will aid clean energy delivery to large-scale industrial customers.

      Mastercard announced acceleration of its efforts to remove first-use, PVC plastics from payment cards on its network by 2028, scaling the accessibility of more sustainable card offerings and amounting to the equivalent of more than 17 million tons of new plastic transitioned to more sustainable materials.

      Nuveen, a TIAA company, will invest $300 million in clean energy infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region through 2027, adding 450 megawatts of clean energy assets towards net zero goals.

      PepsiCo broke ground in August on a new 60,000 square meters manufacturing facility in Cikarang, West Java, as part of a $200 million investment, which will enable local production of PepsiCo’s favored snacks within Indonesia’s sustainable economic landscape; the plant will employ 100% renewable electricity, implement full recycled water replenishment, and pave the way for Indonesian farmers to embrace next-generation agricultural practices and technology.

      Resilient & Secure Pillar:

      Example investments from American companies that will shore up reliable supply chains, bolster regional health and cyber preparedness, and support small- and medium-sized businesses/enterprises (SMBs/SMEs) across APEC economies, include:

       

      Airbnb is announcing an MOU with the Philippines to promote women’s entrepreneurship in tourism, and it plans to invest nearly $5 million to help more communities across the APEC member economies reap the benefits of tourism; over 2023 thus far, more than 350,000 people in APEC member economies started hosting their home on Airbnb.

      Amazon opened its fourth Australian Disaster Relief Hub to reduce response time to natural disasters to within 48 hours.

      Citi provided a $100 million trade loan to ICICI Bank, supporting on-lending to low-income women micro-entrepreneurs primarily in rural India.

      Flexport launched services to enable thousands of U.S. SMBs to automate the movement of their products from Asia-based manufacturers all the way to 20+ major U.S. marketplaces, retail stores, and direct to customers’ doors.

      Freeport-McMoRan’s subsidiary, PT Freeport Indonesia, invested over $1.6 billion for smelter projects in 2023, including construction of the world’s largest single-line copper and precious metal smelter and expansion of an existing smelter.

      Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, provided $15M to The Asia Foundation to launch the APAC Cyber Security Fund in partnership with CyberPeace Institute and Global Cyber Alliance to bolster cyber capabilities of 300,000 underserved micro/SMBs, nonprofits, and social enterprises.

      IBM announced it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Equine Global, an Indonesian-based enterprise resource planning and cloud consulting services provider, in order to help clients in Indonesia modernize their core businesses.

      IBM launched a 10-year, $100 million, partnership to develop a 100,000 qubit quantum-centric supercomputer with the University of Tokyo and the University of Chicago.

      KKR announced a $230 million into LEAP India Private Limited, the largest Indian pallet pooling player with a pan-India network of 21 warehouses and 3,500 customer locations.

      Mastercard invested $10 million in its Singapore Cyber Center of Excellence to support security, resilience, and capacity building efforts; additionally, in Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Small Businesses, Mastercard’s Cybersecurity Academy is providing free cybersecurity tools and resources tailored to SMBs’ needs.

      Mavenir and Korea-based SOLiD announced an advancement in Open RAN radio interoperability to enhance 5G in-building experiences.

      Mavenir, Softbank, and NVIDIA partnered to advance end-to-end communications using virtualized radio access network components.

      Organon launched an initiative called “Her Plan is Her Power,” investing $30 million to improve maternal and reproductive health care in low-resource settings where need is great through youth-empowered education and leveraging AI-powered technology.

      Pfizer announced that it recently invested $1 million into three Canada-based startups via its Healthcare Hub, one of its 18 active Healthcare Hubs around the world (including China and Singapore) which identify and support digital healthcare start-ups that have scalable solutions.

      RingMD and Pasaca Capital are investing in a South Carolina medical device and generic drug manufacturing facility to ensure a resilient and secure supply chain for APEC member economies; it is anticipated that the investment will be $500 million in value.

      United Airlines demonstrated its commitment to the Pacific Islands with humanitarian aid, providing over 40,000 pounds of relief cargo including water, hygiene kits, comfort kits, clean-up kits, IT equipment, and blood products to support local hospitals and clinics.

      Visa Foundation announced yesterday it is pledging $100 million over five years to accelerate access for underserved and women-led SMBs in APEC economies; the pledge is focused on advancing digital financial inclusion, stimulating job creation, and increasing access to capital to drive economic mobility.

      Visa Inc. announced yesterday it will launch a new initiative to accelerate digital enablement of underserved SMBs in the U.S. and developing economies, with an initial focus on APEC economies: Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, and Vietnam; Visa is prioritizing economies that have digital development needs, where cash still accounts for the majority of spend.

      ###

      ___________________________________

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Memorandum on the Presidential Determination on the Proposed Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

       

      November 16, 2023

       

       Presidential Determination

      No.        2024-02      

          

      MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

                     THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY

       

      SUBJECT:       Presidential Determination on the Proposed Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

       

       

      I have considered the proposed Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the “proposed Agreement”), along with the views, recommendations, and statements of the interested departments and agencies.

       

      I have determined that the performance of the proposed Agreement will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security.  Pursuant to section 123 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b)), I hereby approve the proposed Agreement and authorize the Secretary of State to arrange for its execution.

       

      The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register.

       

       

                                     JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

      ______________________________

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Fact Sheet: Vice President Harris Launches Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative, Totaling Over $900 Million in Commitments

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      In the 21st century, no economy can get ahead if half of its population is left behind. In our rapidly modernizing global economy, the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring women are prepared for, and part of, the industries of the future.

       

      As part of U.S. government efforts to advance the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) theme of “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” Vice President Harris is announcing the launch of the Women in the Sustainable Economy (WISE) Initiative, which aims to bolster women’s economic empowerment globally by expanding access to employment, training, leadership roles, and financial resources in the industries critical to our future and the future of our planet. The Vice President is announcing more than $900 million in commitments by governments, private sector companies, foundations, and civil society to bolster women’s economic participation in sectors such as clean energy, fisheries, recycling, forest management, and environmental conservation.

       

      This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment at home and around the world. In line with the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality and the U.S. Strategy on Global Women’s Economic Security, it builds on the Vice President’s work earlier this year in Ghana, when she announced $1 billion in investments to advance the economic empowerment of women globally, including a focus on closing the digital gender divide. In the past eight months, the Vice President’s leadership has galvanized more than $2.4 billion in investments to advance the economic status of women around the world.

       

      Women’s economic opportunities are linked to their ability to control, access, and use land, energy, and water, which in turn improves communities’ and economies’ food security and agricultural productivity. While women grow a majority of food around the world, they are less likely to own the land they farm and women entrepreneurs are less likely to have access to capital and markets. By supporting women’s work and leadership in the sectors critical to the future of our planet, we promote women’s economic security, and we advance work to address the causes and effects of climate change and bolster economic prosperity.

       

      The U.S.-led WISE initiative is a public-private partnership that brings together governments, private sector companies, foundations, and civil society to bolster women’s economic opportunity through three key pillars:

       

      Promoting well-paying, quality jobs for women in energy, land, and water use and management by ensuring women have the skills and training; access to decent jobs in the formal economy; labor and social protections; and other support needed to compete and safely work.

      Supporting women-owned, -led, and -managed businesses in energy, land, and water use and management through increased access to banking and financial services, networks, markets, trade and investment opportunities, and technical assistance.

      Eliminating barriers to women’s economic participation in energy, land, and water use and management by advancing girls’ access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education; and addressing barriers that limit equal access to and control over assets.

      Flagship WISE initiatives seek to:

       

      Improve Economic Opportunities for Women in the Energy Sector

      The Engendering Industries program, led by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), increases economic opportunities for women in lucrative, higher-paying, technical and leadership jobs within predominantly male-dominated sectors—such as water, agriculture, energy, including renewables, and information and communication technology, among others. The program also helps build the capacity of organizational leaders to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment across their organizations, thereby advancing women’s economic security and increasing organizational resilience, competitiveness, and business effectiveness.

       

      Increase Women’s Access to Climate Finance

      USAID’s Climate Gender Equity Fund (CGEF), a public-private partnership, expands financial inclusion for women-led organizations and businesses focused on advancing sustainable economic growth by increasing access to climate finance for investment vehicles, intermediaries, businesses, and community-based organizations in developing countries. USAID is joined by Amazon, Reckitt, and the Visa Foundation as founding partners of this first-ever climate finance facility dedicated to gender-responsive climate action.

       

      Promote Women’s Access to Land Rights

      The Equal Stake in the Soil initiative, led by the United States Department of State, advances women’s land rights as a foundation for achieving gender equality and sustainable development, by supporting coalitions of civil society organizations in legal and policy reform and social norm change efforts. Established coalitions are linked to Stand for Her Land, a broader global land rights campaign.

       

      Strengthen Women’s Inclusion in the Blue Economy

      The Building Economic Inclusion via the Blue Economy initiative, led by the United States Department of State, provides financial and technical assistance to pilot or scale projects, products, and services by women entrepreneurs and young professionals in maritime sectors, thereby promoting business growth and resilience in the fishing, agriculture, green business, and tourism markets.

       

      WISE partners are committing more than $900 million in direct commitments and aligned efforts that will support women’s participation in the sustainable economy.

       

      Government-aligned efforts include:

       

      Australia committed approximately $160 million through 2032 for initiatives that advance women’s economic security in green and blue sectors, including by mobilizing capital and increasing their financial inclusion; promoting women’s economic leadership across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region and protecting the rights of women migrant workers in these sectors; supporting the APEC Care Compact to strengthen and invest in the care economy–enabling women’s economic participation across green, blue, and other sectors; and supporting sustainable infrastructure across Southeast Asia that fosters gender equality, social inclusion, and disaster risk reduction.

      Canada committed $12.52 million through 2025 under its Feminist International Assistance Policy for several initiatives, such as $7.24 million for projects that support women-owned, -led, and -managed, small- and medium-scale enterprises in Ghana to develop profitable and locally appropriate solutions to contribute to Ghana’s transition to a low-carbon green economy with Ashesi University and Ghana Climate Innovation Centre; and $5.28 million to support women in the coastal communities of Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea to build their capacity for revenue-generating activities in the blue circular economy with the Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel de la Gaspésie et des Iles.

      Ireland is announcing over $5 million through 2028 for women’s rights organizations working at the intersection of climate change and gender equality, including on climate justice and adaptation.

      Japan committed approximately $31 million through 2027, to initiatives in Japan and across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East that reduce the harmful impacts of climate change, enhance resilience, contribute to sustainable forest management, and increase women’s employment and leadership opportunities. Through these efforts, Japan will help women and vulnerable populations receive critical climate change information, develop their careers and hold more decision-making authority, and gain access to financial and social services.

      Mexico committed approximately $68 million in 2024 through the “Sembrando Vida” project to promote women’s economic participation and remove the barriers they face by supporting women farmers and strengthening agroforestry systems in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Cuba, and Belize. Additionally, domestic efforts will continue to increase rural women’s access to credit.

      Norway committed approximately $24.1 million between 2023 and 2027 in support of the “Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation in Africa (WE4D)” program with the goal of improving the employment and economic situation of women in Africa, especially in companies and sectors that promote the green transformation of the economy.

      The United States committed $163 million to advance women’s economic security both domestically and globally, including efforts to promote jobs for women in sectors related to energy, land, and water use and management, support women’s access to climate finance, advance girls’ access to STEM education and training, and eliminate barriers to women’s equal access to land and resources. This includes both direct commitments to the four flagship WISE initiatives and aligned global commitments from the Department of State and USAID, as well as aligned domestic commitments from the Department of Energy, Department of Labor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of Agriculture.

      Aligned efforts by private sector, philanthropies, and civil society organizations include:

       

      Amazon committed $53 million to accelerate women’s climate innovation, including $3 million for CGEF—of which Amazon is a founding member—and $50 million for Amazon to invest directly in climate tech companies run by women.

      CARE committed $10 million by 2026 to support at least 10 million women and girls in ten African countries to—in partnership with national governments and the private sector—form and strengthen women’s savings and loans groups to advance women-led climate-smart economic opportunities and climate-resilient food initiatives.

      Citi mobilized $130 million in local currency financing in Kenya to expand access to reliable solar energy to an estimated 1.2 million households including 590,000 low-income women.

      Clarmondial committed at least $25 million by 2030 to achieve gender parity across their borrowers, leveraging the Food Securities Fund – designed and implemented by Clarmondial – to provide working capital to value chains while promoting environmental and social accountability, including on gender equality.

      Delphos International, Ltd. is announcing its intent to mobilize $25 million through 2028 to support women smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs to advance sustainable environmental solutions in agriculture, energy, and other green sectors.

      The International Union for the Conservation of Nature committed $13 million from 2023 to 2025 to support gender-responsive programming in environmental activities across wildlife species management, climate adaptation and resilience, restoration, and agricultural systems and land use. These efforts will strengthen women’s and girls’ participation in and access to environmental roles, opportunities, benefits, and resources.

      LinkedIn committed $4 million from 2021 through 2025 to the Green Skills Fund to support leading nonprofit organizations expanding access to green skills and green jobs for underrepresented and low-income workers globally–including women, and is committed to providing LinkedIn Learning courses focusing on green skills and women’s leadership skills. In addition, LinkedIn committed to conducting research, sharing data-driven insights, and identifying and promoting policies to address the gender gap and promote women’s leadership in the green and blue sectors, drawing on its 1 billion members in more than 200 countries and territories to better understand the specific challenges and opportunities for women in these industries.

      The Mastercard Impact Fund, administered by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, is announcing $9 million through 2027 to improve the financial health of women-led micro and small enterprises in Pakistan, Peru, and Vietnam through the Strive Women initiative. In partnership with CARE, Strive Women will reach more than 6 million entrepreneurs in total, the majority being women, through campaigns, with tailored financial products and support services. The program will also seek to help small businesses transition to green practices and test solutions for childcare support, while building an ecosystem to catalyze broader change.

      PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation committed over $17 million from 2022 to 2027 to promote the participation of women in agricultural supply chains, especially those in the rural farming communities, and watershed replenishment projects such as She Feeds the World, the Global Development Alliance for Investing in Women to Strengthen Supply Chains, Agrovita, and the Greater Cape Town Water Fund. These programs will provide women in these under-served communities with access to education, skills training, economic support, market access, financing, and other resources to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food system.

      Reckitt committed $147 million from 2020 to 2023 in over 45 countries to improve access to health and hygiene that is exacerbated by climate challenges, with a focus on increasing gender equity. This includes $3 million in 2023 to CGEF to accelerate climate finance solutions that advance gender equality and health. The Fight for Access Accelerator and Women in Innovation Fund is supporting female entrepreneurship, with 50 entrepreneurs in over 10 countries, focused on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health.

      The EY organization is announcing $4 million in-kind contribution through 2028 to scale innovative social enterprises that empower women, improve livelihoods, and drive systemic change in the circular economy for plastics. In addition, EY is committed to delivering a green skills agenda, with a gender-inclusive lens, to empower the next generation of leaders. These initiatives will be complemented by EY’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women program, which supports over 900 women entrepreneurs across 55 countries, with access to networks, mentorship and the resources required to scale their businesses.

      Unilever is announcing $11 million by 2028 for this initiative to build and scale circular economies for plastics that improve livelihoods, empower women, and reduce or divert a significant portion of recyclable waste currently entering the environment. While scaling innovative market-based solutions to the plastic pollution challenge, Unilever will build the capacity of women operating within Solid Waste Management value chains.

      Visa Foundation committed $52 million from October 2020 to October 2023 in grants and investments to support an estimated 1.4 million gender equitable and climate-smart small businesses globally. Visa Foundation will also commit a $3 million grant to the Climate Gender Equity Fund to address gender inequities that exist for women in the climate finance ecosystem and to support female entrepreneurs with the resources they need to accelerate climate change innovations.

      WISE partners can either make direct commitments to the WISE initiative or commit to align their efforts with the initiative’s core pillars focused on expanding opportunities for women in the sustainable economy. All WISE partners will be invited to participate in a broader community of practice. For inquiries, please contact: wise@usaid.gov.

      ----------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Readout of Vice President Harris’s Meeting with President Marcos of the Philippines

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      Today, Vice President Kamala Harris met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines on the margins of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, California. They reaffirmed the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Philippines and discussed ongoing efforts to deepen our security ties and expand commercial and economic cooperation. They also reiterated their shared commitment to upholding international rules and norms, including in the South China Sea.

       

      This is the fifth meeting between the Vice President and President Marcos, and builds on their previous meetings, including: the Vice President’s visit to Manila in November 2022; the Vice President hosting President Marcos at the Naval Observatory in May 2023; a bilateral meeting on the margins of the East Asia Summit in Jakarta in September 2023; and a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Kishida in Jakarta in September 2023.  

       

      The Vice President and President Marcos discussed strengthening and broadening economic cooperation bilaterally and through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The Vice President and President Marcos also welcomed the conclusion of a historic “123” civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which will deepen our partnership to build a global clean energy economy and strengthen our shared commitment to improving energy security and advancing the global nonproliferation regime. The Vice President announced the launch of the “123” agreement negotiations while in Manila in November 2022 and welcomed the swift conclusion of these negotiations. This agreement will provide the legal basis for U.S. exports of nuclear equipment and material to the Philippines, which will support American workers and businesses.  The Vice President also announced a new partnership with the Government of the Philippines to grow and diversify the global semiconductor ecosystem under the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, created by the CHIPS Act of 2022.  This partnership will help create a more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain.  

       

      The Vice President and President Marcos welcomed the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippines ties and emphasized their shared intent to grow and modernize our alliance. The Vice President reiterated the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder in defending the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, underscoring that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments.

       

      The Vice President also emphasized the importance of respect for human rights and labor rights, including safety for trade union leaders.

       

      ###

      --------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Welcome Reception for APEC Leaders

       

      San Francisco, California

       

      7:31 P.M. PST

       

      THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, everyone.  (Applause.)

       

      To our President, Joe Biden, and First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden; to Governor Newsom, Mayor Breed, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and the many friends and leaders who are here, it is an honor, on behalf of Doug and myself, to welcome APEC to our home state of California.  (Applause.)

       

      So, the United States is a proud Pacific power, and the Indo-Pacific is critical to the security and prosperity of the American people.  It is for that reason that President Joe Biden and I have strengthened our alliances and partnerships, our multilateral relationships in the region, all to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

       

      As Vice President, I have traveled to Indo-Pacific countries at least four times over the last few years.  I have visited American sailors deployed to Japan and American soldiers at the Korean DMZ.  I have worked with CEOs in Singapore and Tokyo to strengthen supply chains and witnessed the impressive activism of young leaders in Jakarta, Manila, and Hanoi.

       

      And I have spent time with many of the world leaders here today in bilateral meetings and multilateral summits, including at APEC, where I represented the United States in Bangkok last year.

       

      All of this has convinced me of the energy and opportunities of the Indo-Pacific.  And I remain incredibly optimistic about our future as a region.

       

      As we shape that future together, I can think of no better place to convene than San Francisco — (applause) — a city that looks out at the Pacific.

       

      And as many of you here know —

       

      AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Welcome home!

       

      THE VICE PRESIDENT:  It’s good to be home.  (Laughter and applause.)

       

      On that point, I was born just across the bay in Oakland.  (Applause.)  And my mother was a scientist at the University of California, Berkeley.  (Applause.)  And she had two goals in her life: to raise her two daughters and to end breast cancer.  She was a breast cancer researcher.

       

      So, at a very early age, I learned about the power of innovation — that it requires us to question the status quo and think boldly.  Innovation is about our ability to see what can be, unburdened by what has been; the ability to not only imagine a better future, but to build it.

       

      And I have seen the power of innovation to lift communities, whether I was the district attorney of San Francisco, attorney general of California, a United States senator, and now as vice president of the United States.  (Applause.)

       

      And as I represent them, our nation around the world, I have seen how so many of the new ideas and technologies that started right here in the Bay Area have moved all of humanity forward.

       

      So, we gather this week to continue our work together to improve the human condition.  Under our president, Joe Biden, the United States will continue to lead on innovation, economic cooperation, and a shared vision for the future.  Together, through APEC, we can grow our economies, unlock industries of the future, and ensure that all people prosper.

       

      I look forward to our productive meetings in the days ahead.  And, again, to all of our visitors, welcome to San Francisco.

       

      Thank you.  (Applause.)

       

      END                       7:35 P.M. PST

      -----------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Readout of Vice President Harris’s Meeting with Prime Minister Marape of Papua New Guinea

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      Today, Vice President Kamala Harris met with Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea on the margins of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, California. The Vice President underscored the U.S. commitment to the Pacific Islands region, and the Vice President praised Papua New Guinea’s role as a regional leader and member of APEC.  The Vice President thanked Prime Minister Marape for hosting the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in May and attending the September U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Washington.

       

      The Vice President and Prime Minister Marape discussed avenues to advance bilateral security cooperation ties, building on the new Defense Cooperation Agreement signed by the two countries in May.  The Vice President and Prime Minister Marape also discussed strengthening economic cooperation, fostering an environment to enable private sector investment, and increasing cooperation to combat climate change.

      ------------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Readout of Vice President Harris’s Meeting with President Marcos of the Philippines

       

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      Today, Vice President Kamala Harris met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines on the margins of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, California. They reaffirmed the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Philippines and discussed ongoing efforts to deepen our security ties and expand commercial and economic cooperation. They also reiterated their shared commitment to upholding international rules and norms, including in the South China Sea.

       

      This is the fifth meeting between the Vice President and President Marcos, and builds on their previous meetings, including: the Vice President’s visit to Manila in November 2022; the Vice President hosting President Marcos at the Naval Observatory in May 2023; a bilateral meeting on the margins of the East Asia Summit in Jakarta in September 2023; and a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Kishida in Jakarta in September 2023.  

       

      The Vice President and President Marcos discussed strengthening and broadening economic cooperation bilaterally and through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The Vice President and President Marcos also welcomed the conclusion of a historic “123” civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which will deepen our partnership to build a global clean energy economy and strengthen our shared commitment to improving energy security and advancing the global nonproliferation regime. The Vice President announced the launch of the “123” agreement negotiations while in Manila in November 2022 and welcomed the swift conclusion of these negotiations. This agreement will provide the legal basis for U.S. exports of nuclear equipment and material to the Philippines, which will support American workers and businesses.  The Vice President also announced a new partnership with the Government of the Philippines to grow and diversify the global semiconductor ecosystem under the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, created by the CHIPS Act of 2022.  This partnership will help create a more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain.  

       

      The Vice President and President Marcos welcomed the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippines ties and emphasized their shared intent to grow and modernize our alliance. The Vice President reiterated the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder in defending the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, underscoring that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments.

       

      The Vice President also emphasized the importance of respect for human rights and labor rights, including safety for trade union leaders.

       

      ###

       

      -------------------------------------------------

       

      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Remarks by President Biden at a Welcome Reception for APEC Leaders | San Francisco, CA

       

      The Exploratorium

      San Francisco, California

       

      7:40 P.M. PST

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello!  (Applause.)

       

      Good evening, everyone.  I think there’s folks back up behind that barrier.  There are.  Holy mackerel.  Don’t jump.  Don’t jump.  (Laughter.)

       

      Hello, APEC.  Coach, thanks for that introduction and thanks for the — San Francisco’s MVP VIP that we just saw on the screen.  And it’s a real honor to welcome all my fellow leaders to the United States.

       

      Two years ago, when the United States offered to host this summit, we knew we’d need a location dynamic and diverse and — as APEC itself.  And APEC in San Francisco, here we are.

       

      I want to talk about Governor Newsom.  Want to thank him.  He’s been one hell of a governor, man.  (Applause.)  Matter of fact, he could be anything he wants.  He could have the job I’m looking for.  (Laughter.)

       

      And, Mayor Breed, congratulations.  Being a mayor — well, you’re crazy.  (Laughter.)  I think it’s the hardest job in American politics.

       

      And everyone on the host committee, for all — all you’ve done to open your beautiful, historic city to us.

       

      You know, I — to digress just a second, I was with Xi Jinping today.  And — and I showed him a photograph that he’s extremely proud of.  When he was a young man — I think he was 32 — maybe 28, 30 years old, in that range.  And he was — hey, how you doing, man?

       

      He was actually standing on the Golden Gate Bridge.  He had come to visit.  And he said — and I looked at the picture.  I said, “I wanted to show you a picture.”  He said, “I like that picture.  I like the…”  Well, he was translated to say, “I like that picture.”

       

      So, he’s been coming here.  And one of the things I pointed out to him is that you have one of the largest Chinese populations in America here.  And he was — he feels like he’s going home here.  (Laughter.)

       

      You know, we’ve got — is Nancy here tonight?  Nancy Pelosi?  (Applause.)  Nancy, you are the finest Speaker of the House in American history.  (Applause.)  No, you are.  You are, Nancy.  Thank God.  I tell you what, you’re the very best, Nancy.  Thank you, thank you for all you do.  (Applause.)

       

      Look — and I’m particularly grateful that — to the Bay Area for giving our great Vice President a chance to become vice president.  (Laughter.)  She’s the best.  She’s an outstanding leader and a great partner.  (Applause.)

       

      This is a city by the Bay — a city where many have left their hearts.  A city built for generations of dreamers, all — all chasing a hope and a chance to build something new.

       

      From here in San Francisco, America reaches out all across the Pacific, building bridges mightier than the Golden Gate, spanning more than — more space and time than the great expanse that the water has.  Bridges linking pride in our past.  The immigrants and workers who sunk their sweat and founded — in the foundations of this nation.  And our hope for the future and the untold heights to which we’re going to climb together.

       

      Bridges connecting diverse communities.  All across the traditions, cultures, and languages, we find the common dreams we share for ourselves and for our children.  Bridges that carry the ideas of entrepreneurs: “What if?  Why not?  What next?”

       

      Look, so, over the next few days, I hope we’ll all take full advantage of this summit to make new connections and spark new partnerships, because every step we take to deepen our cooperation, to launch a new venture, to tackle the challenges that impact on all of us is a step toward realization of the enormous potential of our Asian Pacific future.

       

      Ladies and gentlemen, a future where our economics are strong, vibrant, and sustainable because our workers are empowered and protected; women and girls are full and equal participants in every aspect of our society; young people — (applause) — young people can envision — well, that’s a fact.  By the way, I’ve got more women in my Cabinet than men.  (Applause.)

       

      I told Nancy, “I’m not stupid.  All the women in my family are a hell of a lot smarter than all the men, including me.”  (Laughter.)

       

      But young people can envision for themselves the lives and hope for unlimited possibilities.

       

      Look, ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got a few busy days ahead of us.  The challenges before us today are unlike those faced by previous groups of APEC leaders.  How we’re going to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to lift up the world and lives of — while minimizing the risk and safety concerns that it presents.

       

      Will we act with the speed and urgency necessary to dramatically curb the carbon emissions and avert the climate catastrophe that threatens us all?

       

      Can we build supply chains that are more resilient, more secure in the face of threats like pandemics and natural disasters and that will form a strong foundation for a clean economy for tomorrow?

       

      Folks, the challenges may be different, but our strongest tools that meet them — those challenges remain the same as they were with our first APEC Leaders’ Summit: connection, cooperation, collective action, and common purpose.  That’s why we’re all here.

       

      I’m looking forward to seeing all the progress we’re going to make and all the bridges between our people we’re going to continue to build in the months and years ahead.

       

      So, thank you all again for being here and welcome to San Francisco.  (Applause.)

       

      Thank you.

       

      7:45 P.M. PST

      ----------------------------------------------

       

       

      NOVEMBER 15, 2023

      Remarks by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden After a Welcome Reception for APEC Leaders | San Francisco, CA

       

      The Exploratorium

      San Francisco, California

       

      8:15 P.M. PST

          

      THE FIRST LADY:  Wow.  (Applause.)  What a beautiful way to end our first night together.  And speaking of beautiful, how about Gwen Stefani?  Wasn’t she amazing?  (Applause.)

       

      You know, the bonds that wi- — that strengthen this week, the — the relationships we nurture, the connections we create, those are the things that help us build a resilient future that we all dream of.  And it’s not possible without all of you.  So, thank you.

       

      May we keep close to our hearts the hope, happiness, and sense of possibility that we feel in this moment.

       

      Joe?

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  I’m Jill’s husband, Joe Biden.  (Applause.)  And I work for the Vice President.  (Laughter.)  That was a hell of a show, wasn’t it?  (Applause.)  And I was just talking about Gwen; I didn’t talk about the fireworks.  (Laughter.)

       

      Folks, thank you all for being here.  To all my colleagues, our colleagues from heads of state from the Pacific Islands and the Pacific region, it’s just great to have you here.  And this is a — we — we owe a big debt of gratitude to the new mayor of the city of San Francisco.  Where are you, Mayor?  You’re around here somewhere.  (Applause.)  And — and re- — and Governor Newsom.  He’s done one hell of a job.

       

      Folks, you know, wh- — I had some comments to make to you.  I’m not going to make them.  I’m going to just summarize this way: You know, tonight, as I met with some of my colleagues that I’ve worked with from countries all across the region, including earlier today with Xi Jinping of China, you know, there’s reason to be optimistic.  There’s reason to be optimistic.

       

      I look at all of you and I see the enthusiasm, I see the sense of possibilities.

       

      I was once asked by Xi Jinping in China — (inaudible) a lot of — spent a lot of time with him, traveled 17,000 miles with him.  He said, “Can you define America for me?”  I said, “I can in one word, and I mean it: possibilities.”  (Applause.)

       

      Anything is possible in this country if we do it together, and we’re going to start that now.  And the Pacific is the place to start it.

       

      Thank you all so, so, so much for being here.  (Applause.)  God bless you all.  Thank you.

       

      And, by the way, the First Gentleman is here too.  You’ve seen —  he was trying to keep — (applause) — he was trying to keep up with the dancers that Gwen had.  I wasn’t sure he’d (inaudible).  But thank you again.  And thank the band.  Thank you.

       

      8:18 P.M. PST

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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      NOVEMBER 16, 2023

      Remarks by President Biden in a
      Press Conference | Woodside, CA

      SPEECHES AND REMARKS

      Filoli Historic House & Garden

      Woodside, California

       

      5:20 P.M. PST

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  I didn’t know there were this many people in town.  Please have a seat.  As you know, I just concluded several hours of meetings with President Xi, and I believe they were some of the most constructive and productive discussions we’ve had.

       

      I’ve been meeting with President Xi since both of us were vice president over 10 years ago.  Our meetings have always been candid and straightforward.  We haven’t always agreed, but they’ve been straightforward.  And today, built on the groundwork we laid over the past several months of high-level diplomacy between our teams, we’ve made some important progress, I believe.

       

      First, I am pleased to announce that after many years of being on hold, we are restarting cooperation between the United States and the PRC on counternarcotics.

       

      In 2019, you may remember, China took action to greatly reduce the amount of fentanyl shipped directly from China to the United States.  But in the years since that time, the challenge has evolved from finished fentanyl to fentanyl chemical ingredients and — and pill presses, which are being shipped without controls.  And, by the way, some of these pills are being inserted in other drugs, like cocaine, and a lot of people are dying.

       

      More people in the United States between the ages of 18 to 49 die from fentanyl than from guns, car accidents, or any other cause.  Period.

       

      So, today, with this new understanding, we’re taking action to significantly reduce the flow of precursor chemicals and pill presses from China to the Western Hemisphere.  It’s going to save lives, and I appreciate President Xi’s commitment on this issue.

       

      President Xi and I tasked our teams to maintain a policy and law enforcement coordination going forward to make sure it works.

       

      I also want to thank the bipartisan congressional delegation to China, led by Leader Schumer, in October for supporting efforts — this effort so strongly.

       

      Secondly, and this is critically important, we are reassuming military-to-military contact — direct contacts.  As a lot of you press know who follow this, that’s been cut off, and it’s been worri- — worrisome.  That’s how accidents happen: misunderstandings.  So, we’re back to direct, open, clear, direct communications on a — on a ba- — on a direct basis.

       

      Vital miscalculations on either side can — are — can cause real, real trouble with a — with a country like China or any other major country.  And so, I think we made real progress there as well.

       

      And thirdly, we’re going to get our experts together to discuss risk and safety issues associated with artificial intelligence.  As many of you who travel with me around the world almost everywhere I go — every major leader wants to talk about the impact of artificial intelligence.

       

      These are tangible steps in the right direction to determine what’s useful and what’s not useful, what’s dangerous and what’s acceptable.

       

      Moreover, there are evidence of cases that — that I’ve made all along: The United States will continue to compete vigorously with the PRC.  But we’ll manage that competition responsibly so it doesn’t veer into conflict or accidental conflict.

       

      And where it’s possible, where it is in our interests are — coincide, we’re going to work together, like we did on fentanyl.

       

      That’s what the world expects of us — the rest of the world expects, not just in — people in China and the United States, but the rest of the world expects that of us.  And that’s what the United States is going to be doing.

       

      Today, President Xi and I also exchanged views on a range of regional and global issues, including Russia’s refusal and brutal war to stop the war — and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and — and the conflict in Gaza.

       

      And as I always do, I raised areas where the United States has concerns about the PRC’s actions, including detained and ex- — and exit-banned U.S. citizens, human rights, and corrective — coercive activities in the South China Sea.  We discussed all three of those things.  I gave them names of individuals that we think are being held, and hopefully we can get them released as well.  No agreement on that.  No agreement on that.

       

      I also stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

       

      It’s clear that we object to Beiji- — to Beijing’s non-market economic practices and disadvantage — that disadvantage American businesses and workers and that we’ll continue to address them.  And I named what I thought a number of those were.

       

      I welcome the positive steps we’ve taken today, and it’s important for the world to see that we are implementing the approach in the best traditions of American diplomacy.  We’re talking to our competitors.  And the key el- — and just talking, just being blunt with one another so there’s no misunderstanding is a key element to maintaining global stability and delivering for the American people.

       

      And in the months ahead, we’re going to continue to preserve and pursue high-level diplomacy with the PRC in both directions to keep the lines of communication open, including between President Xi and me.  He and I agreed that either one of us could pick up the phone, call directly, and we’d be heard immediately.

       

      And that’s — now I’d like to be able to take some questions, if I may.  And I’m told that Demetri of the Financial Times has the first question.

       

      Q    Thank you.  And as an Irishman, I apologize for bringing the rain.

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, holy God, I wouldn’t have called on you if I had known that.  (Laughter.)  No, I’m teasing.  Go ahead.  Fire away, Demetri.

       

      Q    President Biden, given that America is playing a key role in two major global crises — Ukraine and in Gaza — does that alter your previous commitment to defend Taiwan from any Chinese military action?  And did Xi Jinping outline the conditions under which China would attack Taiwan?

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Look, I reiterate what I’ve said since I’ve become president and what every previous president of late has said — that we — we maintain an agreement that there is a One China policy and that — and I’m not going to change that.  That’s not going to change.

       

      And so, that’s about the extent to which we discussed it.

       

      Next question, sorry, was Bloomberg.

       

      Q    Good evening, Mr. President.  It appears, among other issues, that your agreement with President Xi over fentanyl would require — will require a lot of trust and verification to ensure success in curbing those drug flows.  I’m wondering: After today and considering all that you’ve been through in the past year, would you say, Mr. President, that you trust President Xi?

       

      And secondly, if I could, on Taiwan.  You’ve — you and your administration officials have warned President Xi and Chi- — China about interference in the upcoming election.  I’m wondering what would the consequences be if they do, in fact, interfere in the election.  Thank you.

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I may have had that discussion with him, too.  I made it clear: I didn’t expect any interference, any at all.  And we had that discussion as — as he was leaving.

       

      Look, do I trust?  You know, I — “trust but verify,” as the old saying goes.  That’s where I am.

       

      And, you know, we’re in a competitive relationship, China and the United States.  But my responsibility is to — to make it — make this rational and manageable so it — so it doesn’t result in conflict.

       

      That’s what I’m all about, and that’s what this is about: to find a place where we can come together and where we find mutual interests that — but, most importantly, from my perspective, that are in the interests of the American people.  That’s what this is about, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.

       

      You know, we’re in a situation where we agreed that fentanyl and its precur- — its precursors will be curbed substantially and the pill presses.  That’s a big — that’s a big movement.  They’re doing —

       

      And, by the way, you know, I won’t — I guess I shouldn’t identify where it occurred.  But, John, I know two people near where I live.  Their kids, literally, as I said — stra- — they woke up dead.   Someone had inserted in — whether the young man did or not — inserted, in a drug he was taking, fentanyl.

       

      Again, I — I don’t — I hope you don’t have any experience with knowing anyone, but this is the largest killer of people in that age category.

       

      And, you know, I guess the other thing I think is most important is that since I — I’ve spent more time with President Xi than any world leader has, just because we were vice presidents.  His president was President Hu; I’m not making a joke.  President Hu and — and President Obama thought we should get to know one another.  It wasn’t appropriate for the president of United States to be walking — dealing with the vice president.

       

      So, we met — if I’m not mistaken, I think it was 68 hours of just face to face — just us and a simultaneous interpreter.

       

      So, I — I think I know the man.  I know his modus operandi.  He’s been — we have disagreements.  He has a different view than I have on a lot of things.  But he’s been straight.  I don’t mean that he’s good, bad, or indifferent.  He’s just been straight.

       

      And so, you know, we — as I said, the thing that I — I find most assuring is he raised and I fully agreed that if either one of us have any concern, Mr. Ambassador — any concern about anything between our nations or happening in our region, we should pick up the phone and then call one another, and we’ll take the call.  That’s an important progress.

       

      I’m embarrassed — I think it’s CBS, but I can’t remember who with CBS.  I’m sorry.

       

      Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  Weijia Jiang with CBS.

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Sorry.  (Laughs.)  I apologize.

       

      Q    You continue to stress the need to ensure competition with China does not veer into conflict or confrontation.  In the past two years, there have been more than 180 incidents of Chinese aggression against U.S aircraft in the Indo-Pacific and, of course, the ramped up military activity in the South China Sea.  If that does not count as veering into confrontation, then what does?  And did you issue any warnings Xi against continuing that behavior?

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, first of all, none of it did end up in a con- — conflict.  Number one.

       

      Number two, you may recall: I did a few little things like get the Quad together, allow Australia to have access to new submarines, moving in the direction of working with the Philippines.  So, our actions speak louder than our words.  He fully understands.

       

      Q    And because of the news of the day, sir, I do have a question about the IDF raid on the Al-Shifa Hospital, as it tries to contain and take out the Hamas operative that is there.

       

      This week, you also said that we must protect hospitals.  So, when you weigh the target against the number of civilians inside the hospital, is the operation underway justified?

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, look, we did discuss this, by the way.  We can’t let it get out of control.

       

      Here’s the situation: You have a circumstance where the first war crime is being committed by Hamas by having their headquarters, their military hidden under a hospital.  And that’s a fact.  That’s what’s happened.

       

      Israel did not go in with a large number of troops, did not raid, did not rush everything down.  They’ve gone in and they’ve gone in with their soldiers carrying weapons or guns.  They were told — told — let me be precise.

       

      We’ve discussed the need for them to be incredibly careful.  You have a circumstance where you know there is a fair number of Hamas terrorists.  Hamas has already said publicly that they plan on attacking Israel again like they did before, to where they were cutting babies’ heads off to burn — burning women and children alive.

       

      And so, the idea that they’re going to just stop and not do anything is not realistic.  This is not the carpet bombing.  This is a different thing.  They’re going through these tunnels; they’re going in the hospital.

       

      And if you notice, I — I was mildly preoccupied today.  I apologize, I didn’t see everything.  But what I did see, whether — I haven’t had it confirmed yet — I have asked my team to answer the question.  But what happened is they’re also bringing in incubators.  They’re bringing in other — other means to help the people in the hospital, and they’ve given the doctors and — I’m told — the doctors and nurses and personnel an opportunity to get out of harm’s way.

       

      So, this is a different story than I believe was occurring before, an indiscriminate bombing.

       

      What do you got?  Washington Post.  I think that’s right.

       

      Q    Thank you, Mr. President.

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Oh, there you are.  Sorry.  I couldn’t see you in the light.

       

      Q    That’s okay.  Mr. President, Israel’s war in Gaza has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians in just over a month and created —

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  I’m sorry, you’re breaking up.  I didn’t — would you —

       

      Q    Israel’s war in Gaza has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians in just over a month and created a humanitarian disaster.  Israeli officials have said this war could take months or even years.  Have you communicated to Prime Minister Netanyahu any sort of deadline or timeframe for how long you are willing to support Israel in this operation?  Are you comfortable with the operation going on indefinitely?  And is there any deal underway to free hostages?  Thank you.

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, no — working backwards forward.  Look, I have been deeply involved in moving on the hostage negotiation, and I don’t want to get ahead of myself here because I don’t know what’s happened in the last four hours.

       

      But they’re — I have — we’ve gotten great cooperation from the Qataris.  I’ve spoken with them as well a number of times.  I think the pause and that Israeli — that the Israelis have agreed to is down to — I’m getting into too much detail.  I know, Mr. Secretary.  I’m going to stop.

       

      The — but I am — I am mildly hopeful.  I’m mildly hopeful.

       

      With regard to when is this going to stop, I think it’s going to stop when the — when Hamas no longer maintains the capacity to murder and abuse and — and just do horrific things to the Israelis.  And they are in — and they still think they — at least as of this morning, they still thought they could.

       

      I — I guess the best way for me to say it is that I take a look.  The IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces, acknowledges they have an obligation to use as much caution as they can in going after their targets.  It’s not like they’re rushing in the hospital, knocking down doors, and, you know, pulling people aside and shooting people indiscriminately.

       

      But Hamas, as I said, said they plan on attacking the Israelis again.  And this is a terrible dilemma.  So, what do you do?

       

      I think that Israel is also taking risks themselves about their folks being killed one-to-one going through these hospital rooms, hospital halls.  But one thing has been established is that Hamas does have headquarters, weapons, materiel below this hospital and, I suspect, others.  But how long it’s going to last, I don’t know.

       

      Look, I made it clear to the Israelis that — and to Bibi and to his War Cabinet that I think the only ultimate answer here is a two-state solution that’s real.  We got to get to the point where there is an ability to be able to even talk without worrying about whether or not we’re just dealing with — they’re dealing with Hamas — that’s going to engage in the same activities they did over the past — on — on the 7th.

       

      So, it’s — but I can’t tell — I’m not a fortuneteller.  I can’t tell you how long it’s going to last.  But I can tell you I don’t think it ultimately ends until there’s a two-state solution.  I made it clear to the Israelis I think it’s a big mistake to — for them to think they’re going to occupy Gaza and maintain Gaza.  I don’t think that works.

       

      And so, we’re going to — I think you’re going to see efforts to bring along — well, I shouldn’t go into it anymore, because that’s — that’s things I’ve been negotiating with Arab countries and others about what the next steps are.

       

      But anyway, thank you all very much.  Appreciate it very much.

       

      MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you.  This ends the press conference.

       

      (Cross-talk.)

       

      Q    Sir, on the hostages, you said, “We’re coming for you.”  What did you mean when you said, “We’re coming for you”?

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  When — when Hama- — well, Hamas said they plan on doing the same thing again — what — what they did — what they did on the 7th.  They’re going to go in — they want to slaughter Israelis.  They want to do it again.  And they’ve said it out loud.  They’re not even kidding about it.  They’re not backing off.

       

      And so, I just asked the rhetorical question, “I wonder what we would do if that were the case?”

       

      Q    On the hostages though, you said, “We’re coming for you.”  What did you mean to the American hostages when you said —

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Oh —

       

      Q    — “Hang tight.  We’re coming for you.”

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  What I meant was I’m doing everything in my power to get you out — coming to help you to get you out.  I don’t mean sending military in to get them.  Is — is that what you thought I might mean?

       

      Q    I — I defer to you.

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  No, no, no it’s — it — I was not talking about a military.  I was talking about we — you’re on our mind every single day.  Five to six times a day, I’m working on how I can be helpful in getting the hostages released and have a period of time where there’s a pause long enough to let that happen.

       

      And there is somewhere between 50 and 100 hostages there, we think.

       

      Q    And, sir, one is a three-year-old American child.

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  You’re darn right it is.  That’s why I’m not going to stop till we get her.

       

      Thank you.  Thank you.

       

      (Cross-talk.)

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Who can holler the loudest?

       

      Q    Can you just detail for us what kind of evidence the U.S. has seen that Hamas has a command center under Al-Shifa Hospital?

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  No, I can’t tell you.  I won’t tell you.

       

      Q    Do you feel absolutely confident based on what you know —

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

       

      Q    — that that is the truth?

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

       

      Q    And, Mr. President, after today, would you still refer to President Xi as a “dictator”?  This is a term that you used earlier this year.

       

      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, look, he is.  I mean, he’s a dictator in the sense that he — he is a guy who runs a country that — it’s a communist country that is based on a form of government totally different than ours.

       

      Anyway, we made progress.

       

      5:41 P.M. PST

     

       

       

       

      NOVEMBER 15, 2023

      Readout of President Joe Biden’s Meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China

      STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

       

      President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today held a Summit with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in Woodside, California.  The two leaders held a candid and constructive discussion on a range of bilateral and global issues including areas of potential cooperation and exchanged views on areas of difference.

       

      President Biden emphasized that the United States and China are in competition, noting that the United States would continue to invest in the sources of American strength at home and align with allies and partners around the world.  He stressed that the United States would always stand up for its interests, its values, and its allies and partners.  He reiterated that the world expects the United States and China to manage competition responsibly to prevent it from veering into conflict, confrontation, or a new Cold War.

       

      The two leaders made progress on a number of key issues. They welcomed the resumption of bilateral cooperation to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking, including synthetic drugs like fentanyl, and establishment of a working group for ongoing communication and law enforcement coordination on counternarcotics issues. President Biden stressed that this new step will advance the U.S. whole-of-government effort to counter the evolving threat of illicit synthetic drugs and to reduce the diversion of precursor chemicals and pill presses to drug cartels.

       

      The two leaders welcomed the resumption of high-level military-to-military communication, as well as the U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks and the U.S.-China Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings.  Both sides are also resuming telephone conversations between theater commanders.

       

      The leaders affirmed the need to address the risks of advanced AI systems and improve AI safety through U.S.-China government talks.

       

      The two leaders exchanged views on key regional and global challenges.  President Biden underscored the United States’ support for a free and open Indo-Pacific that is connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.  The President reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to defending our Indo-Pacific allies.  The President emphasized the United States’ enduring commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight, adherence to international law, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and East China Sea, and the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

       

      President Biden reaffirmed that the United States, alongside allies and partners, will continue to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, to ensure Ukraine emerges from this war as a democratic, independent, sovereign, and prosperous nation that can deter and defend itself against future aggression.  Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, the President reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism and emphasized the importance of all countries using their influence to prevent escalation and expansion of the conflict.

       

      President Biden underscored the universality of human rights and the responsibility of all nations to respect their international human rights commitments. He raised concerns regarding PRC human rights abuses, including in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong.  On Taiwan, President Biden emphasized that our one China policy has not changed and has been consistent across decades and administrations.  He reiterated that the United States opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, that we expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, and that the world has an interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.  He called for restraint in the PRC’s use of military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait.  President Biden also raised continued concerns about the PRC’s unfair trade policies, non-market economic practices, and punitive actions against U.S. firms, which harm American workers and families.  The President emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our own national security, without unduly limiting trade and investment.

       

      The President again emphasized that it remains a priority to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China.  

       

      The two leaders reiterated the importance of ties between the people of the United States and the People’s Republic of China, and committed to work towards a significant further increase in scheduled passenger flights early next year, in parallel with actions to restore full implementation of the U.S.-China air transportation agreement, to support exchanges between the two countries. The two leaders also encouraged the expansion of educational, student, youth, cultural, sports, and business exchanges.

       

      The two leaders underscored the importance of working together to accelerate efforts to tackle the climate crisis in this critical decade.  They welcomed recent positive discussions between their respective special envoys for climate, including on national actions to reduce emissions in the 2020s, on common approaches toward a successful COP 28, and on operationalizing the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s to accelerate concrete climate actions. President Biden stated that the United States stands ready to work together with the PRC to address transnational challenges, such as health security and debt and climate finance in developing countries and emerging markets.

       

      Building on the November 2022 meeting in Bali where they discussed the development of principles related to U.S. – China relations, the two leaders acknowledged the efforts of their respective teams to explore best practices for the relationship.  They stressed the importance of responsibly managing competitive aspects of the relationship, preventing conflict, maintaining open lines of communication, cooperating on areas of shared interest, upholding the UN Charter, and all countries treating each other with respect and finding a way to live alongside each other peacefully. The leaders welcomed continued discussions in this regard.

       

      The two leaders agreed that their teams will follow-up on their discussions in San Francisco with continued high-level diplomacy and interactions, including visits in both directions and ongoing working-level consultations in key areas, including on commercial, economic, financial, Asia-Pacific, arms control and nonproliferation, maritime, export control enforcement, policy-planning, agriculture, and disability issues.

       

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    Sources:Youtube, White House, Pentagon, BBC, CNN, Fox, wikipedia, ABC, MSNBC, DW , PBS, WP, USAF, Fox Live Now, CBS, AP, Forbes, Bloomberg, CCTV, Arirang, Abc, NBC, Cobra embergency, Independance, Fox News 2, CCTV, Reuters,RTVM, ET, Star News, Sky News,

    Rev November 14, November 15, November 16, 2023, November 21st, 2023

    HOT LINK    HOT LINK    HOT LINK

    catch4all.com, Sandra Englund

     

 

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