At the Standing Committee meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council held in Singapore on Friday, April 27, 2012, Don Campbell, a Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Senior Strategic Advisor for Davis LLP, has been unanimously elected Co-Chair of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC).  He is also the Chair of Canadian National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (CANCPEC). Mr. Campbell’s former appointments with the Canadian government include Deputy Foreign Minister (1997-2000), Deputy Minister for International Trade (1989-1993), Ambassador to Japan (1993-1997), and Ambassador to Korea (1984-1985).  From 2000 to 2007, he was Group President of CAE Inc.

“As Asia grows in importance for Canada in terms of trade, geopolitics, and cultural exchanges, I am delighted to take this position and very much look forward to working with friends and colleagues of PECC network,” said Mr. Campbell. He assumes the position from Dr. Charles E. Morrison, President of the East-West Center, who has served last two terms (2005-2012) as PECC Co-Chair. Mr. Jusuf Wanandi, Member of the Board of the Trustees for the Centre for Strategic and International Studies of Indonesia, will serve another term as the other Co-Chair alongside Mr. Don Campbell. 

The Standing Committee members expressed the view that we must adapt to dynamic changes taking place in the region including the opening up of Myanmar. PECC should be prepared to engage even economies currently outside its membership with the aim of providing support wherever possible. Members agreed that PECC is not just about promoting trade among economies but also about building a sense of inclusive community and working together to achieve mutual prosperity within the region. 

Canada will host the next PECC General Meeting back-to-back with the next Standing Committee meeting in Vancouver in mid-2013.