Ambassador Matt Murray, US Senior Official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Ambassador Matt Murray, US Senior Official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), will discuss the future of US-APEC relations in an exclusive Asia House Corporate Members digital briefing on Thursday 12 September.  

Ambassador Murray is responsible for spearheading US engagement across APEC, which represents nearly 40 percent of the global population, almost half of global trade and more than 60 percent of the world’s GDP. This briefing is a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the most senior US officials in East Asia and Pacific affairs at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges. 

Ambassador Murray played a vital role during the US APEC 2023 host year, where US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in California and advanced a series of impactful policy agendas addressing trade and investment, the digital economy, and sustainable and inclusive economy, culminating with the Golden Gate Declaration. Ambassador Murray will brief Asia House on the US’ economic, political and security interests and challenges in the APEC region and its broader Indo-Pacific Strategy. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) will also be a key focus. 

As the 5 November US presidential election approaches, the Indo-Pacific region remains a critical geostrategic priority for policymakers across the US political spectrum. Despite ongoing strategic challenges between the US and China, the two nations have entered a phase of “stable relations,” bolstered by the resumption of people-to-people exchanges, as highlighted by last November’s Biden-Xi bilateral summit in California and the recent meeting between President Xi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing.  

Having previously served as Minister Counsellor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Beijing, Ambassador Murray will provide insights into potential post-election changes between the world’s two largest economies and their ripple effects across the Indo-Pacific region. 

The digital briefing will be held exclusively for Asia House Corporate Members and moderated by Asia House Chief Executive Michael Lawrence OBE.

To register interest please email Lin Cong, Programme Producer: lin.cong@asiahouse.co.uk.