國發會與ICRT共同製播的時事英語廣播“The World in Brief”固定於每周三在雙語資源網更新，與大家一起聽時事學英文。

本周主題：2023年亞太經濟合作會議(APEC)在美國舊金山

一年一度的亞太經濟合作會議(Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)今年於美國舊金山舉行。APEC由包括臺灣在內的21個環太平洋地區經濟體所組成，宗旨是促進亞太地區的經濟合作和發展。今年的主題聚焦在相互連結(interconnected)、創新(innovative)以及包容(inclusive)等三大議題。想知道更多嗎？讓我們用3分鐘的時間一起來聽聽記者Max McGrath怎麼說吧！

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Transcript

Nora: As the world gets smaller, people, businesses and economies everywhere must work closer together. Roving reporter Max McGrath joins us live from San Francisco this week, the fourth largest economic region in the USA, and host city for this year’s annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Max?

Max: Thanks Nora. I’m here at the Moscone Center, San Francisco’s largest convention and exhibition complex, and chosen location for this year’s APEC forum. I’m joined by US Secret Service Agent Penny Conch. Agent Conch, hi.

Penny: You can call me Penny, I don’t mind.

Max: OK, thanks Penny. It’s so exciting, talking to a real secret service agent! This must be how James Bond feels …

Penny: Everyone always assumes we’re super-spies! They think we spend all our time travelling to exotic places, saving the world from some evil supervillain … actually, most of the work we do is just like this. Security detail.

Max: Security around this kind of event must be incredibly tight, with all the guests here to protect.

Penny: Exactly right. This event is welcoming some really important people, like world leaders, and other heads of state. There’ll be international CEOs and business owners, plus lots of other VIPs. We can’t afford to take any chances.

Max: They’re all here for APEC 2023. That’s this year’s meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Penny: Yes, they meet every year. There are 21 member economies now, states from all over Asia and the Pacific.

Max: Why do you call them ‘economies,’ instead of countries?

Penny: That’s what APEC calls them. It’s the reason APEC exists, to help economies in the Asia-Pacific region grow.

Max: The theme for this year’s APEC is “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.” What does that mean to you?

Penny: Well, to be ‘resilient’ is to be tough, or secure. And when something’s ‘sustainable’ it’s renewable, eco-friendly, and long lasting. For me, it means they want to build a strong, reliable, green economy. For our children, and for our children’s children.

Max: You know how they plan to do it?

Penny: I’m afraid not, Max. I’m just here to keep everyone safe, it’s up to the CEOs and the politicians to make big, important decisions like that!

Max: Well, good news! I know exactly how. With their policy priorities … but I don’t want to just tell you what they are. Instead, let’s play a game!

Penny: OK!

Max: OK. I’ll say a word, you tell me what it means for APEC. Got it?

Penny: Got it.

Max: Here we go. Word one: ‘interconnected.’

Penny: That’s when lots of different parts are connected to each other. I guess it means they want to strengthen the region even further?

Max: Correct! Word two: ‘innovative.’

Penny: That’s all about creativity and invention. This policy must be about sustainability, right? Finding new ways to build something that will last.

Max: Correct again! And the last word: ‘inclusive.’

Penny: That means all are welcome, no-one is left behind. It sounds like they want to help all economies grow financially: the big ones, and the small ones too.

Max: Penny, you got them all absolutely correct! You shouldn’t be running security, you should be running this whole event!

Penny: Max! You’re too kind. I’m happy just to be a super-spy for now!

Max: Thank you Penny, good luck with the rest of the forum! This is Max McGrath reporting live from San Francisco, USA. Nora?

Nora: Thanks Max! I’m Nora Yu.

 

Vocabulary

convention 會議 (n.)

The Moscone Center, designed for large conventions and exhibitions, will easily accommodate the forum’s estimated 20,000 attendees.

 

tight 嚴格的 (adj.)

Security for the APEC forum will be very tight around the convention center, with street closures, parking restrictions, and pedestrian checkpoints.

 

sustainability 永續性 (n.)

APEC’s Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model promotes sustainability in resource use, waste management, and ecosystem health for its member economies.

 

inclusive (團體或組織)可以包容各種人的 (adj.)

The transition to a more sustainable economy must be inclusive of vulnerable groups such as women, people with disabilities, and indigenous peoples.

 

run (使)運轉 (v.)

The APEC CEO Summit, which takes place during the APEC forum, includes speakers and attendees who run multinational corporations.