World leaders have used the declaration at the closing of the APEC summit to condemn the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut and against a Russian aircraft over the Sinai.
The leaders issued a statement that said they “will not allow terrorism to threaten the fundamental values that underpin our free and open economies. Economic growth, prosperity, and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalisation.”
The 21 leaders of nations in the Asia Pacific region also stressed the “need for increased international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.”
The attacks in Paris and continuing decline of the conflict in Syria have dominated talks at the APEC summit, which normally focuses on trade and economic growth.
At the closing of his first appearance at an APEC summit, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull praised Australia’s efforts in securing free trade deals with Japan, China, South Korea and 12 other nations as part of the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Mr Turnbull said pushing for more open markets is important but it’s also imperative that markets adapt to changing conditions.
“We respond to that by being agile, by recognising that we don't know precisely what the future holds,” he said.
“But we know that if we are flexible and best poised to respond to the opportunities as they arise, we are more likely to succeed than not. So trade, trade clearly is absolutely critical.”
At a press conference in Manila on Thursday, Mr Turnbull told reporters “many if not most of the jobs 30, 40 years from now, don't even exist today”
“We are living in a dynamic time of change and what that requires is agility and an ability to adjust and that requires freedom, open markets and free trade and that's what I talk about here.”
Despite the obvious challenges faced by the Philippines - hosting 21 world leaders days after a major terrorist attack- President Benigno Aquino said he hoped “ this years retreat will become an incubator for ideas that improve our regions prospects for the future."
