HONOLULU (July 23, 2009) – The implications of the current global economic crisis for the Asia Pacific region will be the topic of a luncheon forum hosted by the East-West Center on Monday, Aug. 3.  The luncheon at the EWC’s Hawaii Imin International Conference Center (Jefferson Hall) is open to the public and will feature a panel discussion by leading experts from the Asia Pacific region, including:

• Barbara Weisel, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Weisel is the lead negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership initiative and the U.S. Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Malaysia and Thailand. 

• Yuen Pau Woo, President & CEO, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Woo also serves as an advisor to the Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Centre and the Asian Development Bank, and is a member of British Columbia's Economic Advisory Council.

• Sarasin Viraphol, Executive Vice President of Pokphand Group, Thailand. During his two decades in the Thai diplomatic service, Viraphol served as Ambassador to China, Japan and the Philippines, and in the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Deputy Permanent Secretary.

• Yoshiji Nogami, President of Japan Institute of International Affairs and Executive Advisor of the Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. Nogami is the former Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom and a Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs. He also served as Director-General of Japan’s Economic Affairs Bureau.

Co-sponsors of the event include the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council and Friends of the East-West Center.  Registration is 11:30 a.m. with the luncheon program to follow at 12 noon. Cost is $23 for co-sponsor members and $25 for non-members. The deadline for reservations is Thursday, July 30. Limited parking is available on the lawn area between the Imin Conference Center and Lincoln Hall for a $4 fee.

For reservations or more information, call the East-West Center at (808) 944-7111 or register on-line at eastwestcenter.org/event/2148 .

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The EAST-WEST CENTER is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States. The Center contributes to a peaceful, prosperous and just Asia Pacific community by serving as a vigorous hub for cooperative research, education and dialogue on critical issues of common concern to the Asia Pacific region and the United States. Funding for the Center comes from the U.S. government, with additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and the governments of the region.