Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (C) at the dialogue on technology as a driver of economic opportunity. (Photo: VNA)

During the session on resource efficiency and sustainable growth, delegates looked to find ways to mitigate global climate change while maintaining global economy growth.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said climate change is the biggest long-term challenge to the world’s economic development, adding that the Asia and Pacific region needs to prepare economic strategies and climate change response plans .

She said: “In the world we are already seeing the terrible affects by climate change. Here in Vietnam in the last 2 years as I understand you have suffered a terrible flooding, drought, and even in recent days salt water intrusion causing losses of lives and damage to the economy. Speaking from the region close to you, our Pacific neighbors are being challenged by rising sea levels thus making us become climate refugees.” 

At the session on technology as a driver of economic opportunity, both Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull offered many examples of how the living conditions of humans have improved thanks to technology. They called on people to use technologies and skills to connect with each other and contribute to economic growth. Facebook is considered an effective tool in this regard.

The Facebook's COO noted: “There are 20 million more businesses across APEC who are using Facebook element basis. We’ve heard from research firms which have conducted surveys that 74% of them who are using Facebook are selling more products through marketing. 80% of them are selling outside their cities or regions. That means their markets are becoming out of the region and go to the rest of the world.”

Also high on the agenda of Friday’s debate was the post 2020 APEC Vision.