New Zealand hosts annual APEC forum virtually

New Zealand on Tuesday hosted the first meeting of this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which culminates in a leader's meeting on Saturday.

Continued coronavirus outbreaks and related travel restrictions have meant the meeting has been virtual for a second straight year.

As usual, the 21 APEC nations will be seeking areas where members can cooperate on easing barriers to trade and economic growth instead of trying to settle longstanding feuds.

The focus will be on "charting a path to recovery out of this once-in-a-century crisis," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, host of the leader's meeting, said in a statement.

Early on Tuesday, ministers from the 21 APEC economies met virtually during the first session of the APEC Ministerial Meeting.

Meeting co-chair New Zealand Trade Minister Damien O'Connor told ministers to continue to work and make progress "on vaccines, supply chains, and essential goods and services."

He also said APEC must tackle the serious threats of climate change.

"If we want to leave a safe, sustainable and prosperous region for our future generations, we must work to safeguard what we have now. This will be our legacy," O'Connor said.

U.S. President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will have a rare virtual encounter this week as they gather online with other Pacific Rim leaders to chart a path to recovery out of the once-in-a-century crisis brought on by the pandemic.

Ahead of the main leader's meeting there will also be a youth summit and a CEO summit which will include a keynote address by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and a discussion on ways in which the pandemic has changed the world between Ardern and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

New Zealand made the decision last year to switch to a virtual summit.