PECC in Seattle
Kenji Kushida
On August 15, I had a great time joining a panel, "Digital Solutions to Environmental Challenges and Climate Change" by PECC (Pacific Economic Cooperation Council), part of the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) 2023 meetings in Seattle. I brought perspectives informed by some of the interesting and valuable things underway by Japanese global companies, and a few trajectories of development underway in Silicon Valley. This year was PECC's 30th meeting, themed: "Achieving a Sustainable and Inclusive Asia-Pacific Through Innovation" with representatives from all over APEC.
Thank you to PECC organizers and Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) for the invitation. It was an honor to join.
At the reception, an APEC flag flew over the Space Needle (although we couldn't see it from directly below), and strong language by the governor of Washington and mayor of Seattle, the first Asian mayor of the city, committing to combat climate change was particularly striking given some of the deep divisions in the US.
