Gobierno Transparente
Foreign Minister Muñoz participates in APEC Summit and makes a call to improve educational system in Chile
Today was an intense day for Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heraldo Muñoz, in the 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Summit 2016, held in Lima.
"This encounter is particularly important because it just happened to be when the international scenery is getting complex" stated Minister Muñoz. He explained that many countries have to face numerous challenges such as low economic growth, protectionist tendencies, and the questioning of globalization.
Because of this, he defined this encounter as the only opportunity for Asia Pacific economies to think in how to face these challenges, propose solutions, and show their world-wide influence.
Minister Muñoz started the day by meeting Trade Ministers of signing countries of the TPP Agreement. They thought about the future of the agreement after the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. Paulina Nazal, Director of DIRECON, also assisted the meeting accompanying the Chilean Minister.
After this, the Secretary of State participated of a Ministerial Reunion of the APEC, where the "Human Capital Development" was debated.
In his intervention, Minister Muñoz highlighted the role of education in giving equal opportunities to people for countries to develop further. Because of this, one of the main pillars of the public agenda of Chile is the educational reform. "There is an ethical reason for this educational reform. Opportunities should not rely on social status nor the capacity to pay for education. Education should be a right, not a privilege", he affirmed.
Foreign Minister added that Chile needs profound changes in the actual educational system to develop economically. "Our economy will be innovative and flourishing once we have an excelling educational system. Education must focus on the constant progress of each person within his knowledge and capacities", he assured.
During the second session, each observer made a declaration on their vision and position on the year's work in the forum. Finally, the parties subscribed to a Joint Ministerial Declaration.
In the Summit, Minister Muñoz held bilateral meetings with Trade Minister of Indonesia, Enggartiasto Lukita, and acting Assistant Secretary in the Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mari Carmen Aponte.