|
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that in his capacity as the former Chairman and current Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, the Republic of Korea has invited him to participate in the G-20 Speaker’s Consultation to be held in Seoul, Korea from May 18-20, 2011.
The G-20 promotes cooperation among 20 major economies that account for 85% of global gross national product as well as 80% of world trade. Participating countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union is also a participant. In 2009, the G20 announced that it will replace the G8 as the main economic council of wealthy nations.
Semi-annually, the heads of the G-20 nations meet and, in November 2010, the Republic of Korea hosted the G-20 Summit in Seoul. As a follow-up to the Summit, the Republic of Korea is now hosting the G-20 Speakers’ Consultation for purposes of providing a venue for legislators to share experiences and coordinate policy to solve major problems affecting participating countries, including the global financial crisis, poverty, climate change, food shortages, and terrorism. The theme of the G20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation is “Development and Growth for Common Prosperity” which will also focus on ways to promote world peace.
“I want to thank His Excellency Park, Hee Tae, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, for the personal invitation he has extended to me to participate in this important Consultation,” Faleomavaega said. “Not only am I proud to represent the United States at this Consultation but I also am thankful to represent the people of American Samoa who sacrifice so much so that others may live in peace.”
“I am especially proud of American Samoa’s military men and women and our veterans. For all they have done for us, I will always stand by them and, at this Consultation, I will honor their service by making their outsize sacrifice known to the G20 nations. After my remarks, I will also attend dinner hosted by President Lee Myung-bak at the Blue House for the Heads of Delegations.”
“I also hope to be able to meet with Chairman Kim of the Dongwon Corporation prior to my departure from South Korea after which I will then travel to Apia, Samoa where it is my intent to meet with the Director of the Forum Fisheries Agency to discuss very serious issues affecting American Samoa’s tuna industry and the South Pacific Tuna Treaty. American Samoa’s economy hinges on the outcome of these negotiations and discussions this is why I am committed to doing all I can to make sure American Samoa’s interests are protected and known.”
“Once more, I thank the people for their support and prayers and look forward to representing them at the G20 Speakers’ Consultation,” Faleomavaega concluded.
|
|
|
![[United States Congress]](congress.gif)
