Following the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the pandemic status of COVID-19, Malaysia, the host of APEC 2020, has announced the postponement of the upcoming Second Senior Officials’ Meeting, the 2020 APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, and the 2020 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which were scheduled for April this year.

The new tentative dates for the Second Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings are 15-26 June 2020, which will be followed by the 2020 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting on 27-28 June 2020. These dates will be reassessed in May, subject to developments surrounding COVID-19.

The decision came by order of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after careful consultation with other APEC member economies. The health and safety of all APEC delegates are of the utmost importance.

Malaysia is keen to engage with member economies and host APEC this year given the urgency of the economic impact this pandemic has caused.

Malaysia will work closely with APEC members to ensure the continuity of APEC’s work in 2020 and remains fully committed to host APEC in 2020, with a focus on optimizing human potential towards a future of shared prosperity.