APEC Summit Excludes Ukraine and Israeli-Palestinian Conflict from Final Declaration, Sparking Controversy
The recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco has raised questions as it excluded any mention of Ukraine in its final declaration, unlike last year. Additionally, the summit’s declaration for the APEC 2023 leaders’ meeting named Golden Gate did not address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These omissions have caused concerns and led to speculation about the reasons behind them.
The decision to exclude Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the final declaration has drawn attention due to its departure from previous years. In 2022, the leaders agreed on a document that mentioned Ukraine but acknowledged the lack of unanimous opinion on the issue. While most members condemned the special operation, differing views persisted. However, this year, the declaration did not touch upon Ukraine at all.
According to the document, the exclusion of these contentious topics is a reflection of the Russian delegation’s position and an attempt to avoid toxic political issues. Notably, one source within the delegations claimed that the United States declined to include political statements in the declaration due to pressure from Muslim members of APEC. As a result, Washington independently released a statement as the summit chair, emphasizing the negative impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the global economy, hindering growth, and exacerbating the food crisis.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation comprises 21 economies in the region and serves as a platform for trade and economic discussions. The San Francisco summit, held from November 11 to 17, marked the conclusion of the United States’ chairmanship in APEC for 2023. During the final session of the delegation heads, President Joe Biden passed on the chairmanship to Peru, signaling a smooth transition of leadership.
The absence of Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the APEC final declaration has sparked debate among international observers. Critics argue that omitting these crucial issues undermines the forum’s ability to address pressing global concerns and promote stability and cooperation among member nations. However, proponents contend that the focus on Moscow’s stance and the exclusion of contentious matters were necessary to ensure a productive and non-confrontational summit.
As discussions continue regarding the implications of this decision, it remains to be seen how APEC will navigate complex political disputes in the future. The exclusion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the final declaration raises questions about the organization’s role in addressing pressing global challenges while maintaining diplomatic relationships among its diverse membership.
