Sustainable development in focus at APEC CEO Summit

BALI - More than 1,000 policy makers and business delegates around the Pacific Rim commenced their annual meeting here Saturday amid an unstable global economic recovery.

Themed "Towards Resilience and Growth: Reshaping Priorities for Global Economy", the APEC CEO Summit is aimed at realizing inclusive sustainable development and shared development in the region.

It provides a platform for policy makers and business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific to engage in dynamic and in-depth discussions, featuring an interactive program that covers the key issues affecting the region.

Through the talks on stage and networking, delegates will get the first-hand information and perspective on the commonly concerned issues and issues that matter most to their circles.

Due to the U.S. government shutdown earlier this week, President Barack Obama has canceled trips to Indonesia and Brunei.

He previously canceled visits to the Philippines and Malaysia but had still been scheduled to attend the APEC Summit in Indonesia and the East Asia Summit in Brunei.

"I do want to make it clear none of these happenings in Washington will change one iota of our commitment to our partners in Asia, including our commitment to promote investment and trade throughout the region, because this remains our top priorities,"U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry told a press conference on the sideline of the CEO Summit as he fills in for Obama at heads of state summits in Asia.

Since its birth in 1996, the CEO summit has become the premier business event in the Asia-Pacific region. It is usually held just prior to the two-day APEC leaders' summit and overlap with the latter by one day.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will touch down in Bali on Saturday evening, will deliver a keynote speech at the final day of the CEO Summit next Monday.