Singapore's Esplanade resplendent in the evening light - the venue for the leaders' Waterfront Dining Experience'

Sets Stage For 20th Anniversary Celebration Tomorrow

Bandar Seri Begawan - The leaders of 21 states and more than 1,500 business leaders from around the world will be set to converge for the 2009 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in the city-state of Singapore as it plays host for the 20th anniversary celebration of the group's establishment.

In an exclusive interview with the High Commissioner of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Joseph K H Koh, the envoy emphasised: "We want to make Apec 2009 a resounding success. We will do our best to make it happen, with the kind of tenacity and creativity the world expects from Singapore."

"We aim not only to deliver a set of efficiently organised meetings, but also, as I have said, a positive and memorable 'Singapore Experience' for all delegates. This will be done through social programmes that would feature our local talents and showcase the vibrancy, diversity and uniqueness of Singapore. We will provide the appropriate security coverage for delegates attending all the official, social and related events, but with minimal traffic and business disruptions in the vicinities of all the meeting venues," the High Commissioner went on to point out.

Mr Koh highlighted that this massive undertaking will be a collective effort by the whole of Singapore the public, private and people sectors. "Close to 20,000 officers from 40 government agencies and 330 Singapore and Singapore-based companies are involved in the various aspects of Apec 2009. We have also recruited about 1,100 volunteers to play host to the international delegates. No details are spared. We have even commissioned a Singapore company to design and fabricate a special set of furniture with a local flavour to be used at the Leaders' Retreat. The dedication and commitment of all parties involved have been tremendous."

The weeklong meeting is scheduled to kick off with the Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting on November 8-9, followed by the Apec Ministerial Meeting on November 11-12, the 16th Finance Ministers' Meeting on November 12 before concluding with the climax of the 17th Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting that will be held at the Istana on November 14-15.

There will also be two other much-awaited events - the Apec Business Advisory Council Meeting on November 9-11 and the Apec CEO Summit on November 12-14, which has become of one of the most highly anticipated global business events in the political calendar.

But aside from the formal and closed-door meetings, Mr Koh underscored the fact that, "We want to deliver a positive and memorable 'Singapore Experience' for the approximately 10,000 visiting Apec leaders, ministers, officials and other delegates."

One of these highlights will be a `Singapore Evening at the Esplanade' that will be staged against Singapore's iconic architecture and Singapore city skyline in the Marina Bay area, which will be set to the theme of a 'Waterfront Dining Experience', on the evening of November 14. "It will feature a 30-minute multimedia musical extravaganza and showcase Singapore's rich heritage, its multi-cultural vibrancy and diversity, the local cuisine, as well as our unique blend of leisure and entertainment offerings in a bustling cosmopolitan city."

To further mark the special celebration of Apec's 20th anniversary, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) of Singapore, will be organising the 'Apec 20th Anniversary High-Level Symposium' on Nov 10, which will bring together incumbent Apec ministers and many of the Apec founding figures that include ministers, senior officials and prominent individuals who were present at the inaugural Apec meeting in Canberra in 1989.

"It will be more than a reunion, it will also allow all the participants to take stock of the symposium's theme - '20 Years in History: Breaking down Barriers, Connecting the Region and the World'. Also, ISEAS will be launching a book with contributions by academics on the achievements of Apec in the past two decades," explained Mr Koh.

"Furthermore, we have commissioned Singapore's main broadcast network, MediaCorp Pte Ltd, to produce a TV documentary on Apec covering its history, key achievements, and future directions. The documentary, to be aired on November 9, can be viewed in more than 20 territories across Asia through MediaCorp's satellite service of Channel News Asia," the Singaporean High Commissioner went on to reveal, adding: "SingPost will also be issuing a commemorative Apec stamp, which will be on sale to the public on November 8."

Another key way in which Singapore has set out to distinguish itself with its hosting of the prestigious event that has always caught the keen attention of the world's media is with the customary leaders' attire.

"This year the leaders will be donning the 'Apec 2009 Singapore Attire', but not just for the photo session which will take place on November 14 at the 'Singapore Evening at the Esplanade'. They will be wearing the attire throughout the evening," acknowledged Mr Koh.

"The attire was created by Singaporean award-winning designer with 16 years of experience in the local fashion industry, Wykidd Song. Mr Song has taken the inspiration from the Peranakan culture, which is a part of Singapore's living heritage. It encompasses elements in Chinese, Indian and Malay designs, and reflects Singapore's identity as a multiracial and multi-cultural society," revealed Mr Koh.

When asked to provide a first-hand description of the leaders' attire, the High Commissioner said, "Linen and silk will be used for the male and female leaders respectively, both are natural fibres that are light and breathable and suitable for Singapore's climate. The male leaders can choose from three colours of the Apec Singapore 2009 logo blue, red or green - whilst female leaders will be presented with the red attire, with a lot more elaborate embroidery and lacing details."-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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