First Women Leaders’ Network Meeting for Australia

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women’s Issues the Hon Julie Bishop MP today opened registration for the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women Leaders’ Network (WLN) meeting to be held in Port Douglas from 25-27 June.

“This is a great opportunity for business women from the APEC economies to discuss the significant impact social and environmental issues have on women from the region, and I encourage Australian women to register,” Minister Bishop said.

The theme for this year’s meeting, the first to take place in Australia, is APEC Women in Business 2007, Women contributing to strong and sustainable futures.

The five key topics for discussion are Business, Global Challenges, Strengthening Capacity, Information and Communications Technology and Trade.

Minister Bishop said the WLN is a public-private network of women from the 21 APEC economies representing business, academia, government and non-government organisations.

“This is an important opportunity for Australian women to network with others from the region, with 300 to 400 high-profile delegates expected to attend this year’s meeting,” she said.

“APEC is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region and hosting this important meeting of influential business women is a great opportunity for Australia.”

There are two important lead-in events to the WLN meeting also taking place in Port Douglas in June. A Women in Export trade event focusing on opportunities for women in export will be held on 24 June and the APEC Digital Economy Forum for Women 2007, with the theme Building a Sustainable e-Future, will be held on 22 and 23 June.

To register or to find out more about the APEC WLN meeting go to FaHCSIA website