[In French]

Today, we are all French.

Secretary Del Rosario, Secretary Domingo, ministers, distinguished guests, thank you. I join my colleagues in expressing our sincere appreciation to the government and people of the Philippines for their very warm hospitality and their very strong leadership of APEC.

On behalf of Secretary Kerry, it is a privilege to represent the United States at this important gathering, as we seek to find common solutions to regional, and indeed, global challenges.

As a Pacific economy and a founding member of APEC, we are proud to lead alongside our friends and partners to expand economic opportunity, spur innovation, and advance sustainable, resilient growth over the long-term.

This mission is at the very heart of the United States’ strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific.

Over the last seven years, we have worked to develop and realize a positive vision of a region that is prosperous and secure; that protects the environment; that promotes good governance and inclusivity.

As one of Asia’s most important forums, APEC serves as a vital pillar of the international order—a standard-bearer for a common set of rules and norms that have ushered in an unprecedented era of peace, stability, and prosperity. That is why President Obama has made it a personal priority to deepen our engagement with APEC and to carry forward our nation’s proud legacy of leadership in the Pacific.

Today, we gather at a uniquely important time—when the challenges that we face demand greater cooperation and stronger unity than ever before – driving sustainable and equitable growth, fighting climate change, improving public health systems, strengthening community resilience against disasters, and empowering women’s economic participation.

Not one of these goals is beyond the capacity of this community, which is home to some of the most wired cities, the most innovative minds, and the most entrepreneurial young people in the entire world.

The single best way to confront the challenges of our time is by forging the close partnerships that unlock the talent and unleash the creativity of all of our citizens.

Entrepreneurship thrives in an open investment environment with transparent and predictable regulations, where the rule of law works for everyone. The Trans-Pacific Partnership—which has its roots here at APEC—is a powerful testament to that principle.

By bringing 40 percent of the global economy behind high standards on labor, the environment, and intellectual property, we promote a race to the top that spurs more inclusive and sustainable growth.

We also have to ensure that our investments in economic growth and development are representative of the very whole—and not just a half—of our populations. Our economies cannot reach their full potential unless women reach theirs. When women cannot raise capital, secure loans, or rise to senior ranks in companies, the economy as a whole suffers. Indeed, our societies as a whole suffer.

It is our responsibility to close the gap—to demolish the stone barriers and shatter the glass ceilings that keep women from participating fully and freely in the economic, political, and social spheres of life.

That is why we are leading efforts at APEC to expand market opportunities for women entrepreneurs by launching an online platform that will link investors, governments, service providers, and entrepreneurs throughout the region—and connect women entrepreneurs in particular with the resources they need to start and grow their businesses.

Recent epidemics like Ebola and MERS, and natural disasters like Typhoon Haiyan, have underscored the importance of taking down barriers to cooperation in times of crisis and ensuring that we draw on the skills and ingenuity of all of our citizens.

Thanks to leadership from economies like the Philippines, we are placing greater focus on helping communities strengthen their resilience to disasters.

When typhoons sweep ashore or volcanoes erupt, we want to ensure that families survive and businesses bounce back quickly.

That’s why we’ve championed the APEC Principles for the Movement of Humanitarian Goods and Equipment to expedite customs procedures and eliminate or reduce tariffs during an emergency.

It’s why we’ve supported trade recovery by ensuring the exchange of critical information during disruptions of supply chain systems.

And it’s why we’ve promoted best practices in hazard mapping and risk assessment.

We’re also applying similar foresight and coordination to strengthen health systems and prevent epidemics, including through the Global Health Security Agenda. None of this work would be possible without the extraordinary courage of healthcare workers who serve on the frontlines of these humanitarian emergencies at great risk to their own lives—just like the many here in this region who responded to the call for help to fight Ebola half-a-world away.

We pledge to stand at their side—to respond faster and more effectively to outbreaks with all the technological, medical, and social tools at our disposal.

We’re pleased to be working through APEC to reduce barriers to trade in healthcare products, to improve hospital hygiene, to eliminate fake medicines, to address mental health issues, to ensure blood supply safety.

Ultimately, ensuring that our citizens are safe, that our communities are resilient, and that our economies are inclusive are efforts that only matter if we also have a healthy planet to sustain our growing numbers far into the future.

That includes new partnerships to protect our oceans and combat illegal, unregulated fishing.

And of course the Paris Climate Conference is just a few weeks away. Many economies in the room have helped to build positive momentum towards Paris by submitting Intended Nationally Determined Contributions.

Through APEC, the region has shown a readiness to take important steps necessary to meet the climate challenge—including a commitment to double the share of renewables by 2030, to work to reduce fossil fuel subsidies, to develop electric vehicle standards, to realize our commitment to reduce or eliminate tariffs on environmental goods.

We have a historic opportunity this year to achieve an ambitious climate agreement, and I hope all will come to Paris with the same feeling of partnership and determination to make that possible.