Hernán Somerville S. Commissioner General
Dear friends,
My links to Asia were forged more than a decade ago, for a variety of reasons. Then, in 2001, I was appointed to the APEC Business Advisory Council. I was honored to serve as its chairperson in 2004 when Chile hosted the APEC meetings and Leader’s Summit.
The Asia-Pacific Region is the most dynamic region in the world, in an international context characterized by free circulation of goods, services, investment and people and also by cultural exchange that is unprecedented in the history of humanity.
For many observers, an important part of Chile’s future lies in the way in which we forge links to the Asia-Pacific Region. Because of the network of trade and cooperation agreements that Chile has signed, and the political and economic ties that the country has successfully forged, I am convinced that no other nation in the world is positioned as favorably as Chile in relation to the Asia-Pacific Region. Due to its experience in Asia, its connections and its cooperation agreements, Chile is capable of becoming a true bridge or platform for business and services between the Asia-Pacific Region and Latin America.
It is within this context that our country has accepted the invitation extended by the Chinese government to participate in World Expo Shanghai 2010. The decision was made by Her Excellency the President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, who was pleased to confirm Chile’s desire to participate in the event with a national pavilion.
In October 2007, I had the honor of being appointed by the President of the Chilean Republic as Commissioner General of Chile’s Pavilion. This is an ad honorem position which I accepted, and in doing so assumed the related responsibilities as an important challenge for the country.
The theme of Expo Shanghai is “*Better City, Better Life*”. The event’s organizers have invited different countries from the international community to participate in this Expo with projects that invite to reflect and to generate constructive debate around the redefinition of urban frontiers and the recovery of public areas for human relations. Furthermore, China is an ideal country to initiate the presentation of this theme, since 60% of China’s population lives in rural areas and development goals are based on the creation of sustainable, urban spaces.
Indeed, because the structure of World Expos are based on nationalities, they are excellent events at which to display the unique characteristics of Chile, its people, culture, political and economic ideas as well as its main products for export. These variables are an integral part of the Chilean project.
In addition, it is important to emphasize that Chile’s participation in Expo Shanghai will take the form of a national pavilion. This decision was taken carefully. This type of participation implies that the country will take on an enormous challenge and significant responsibilities. Our contributions should not be viewed as expenses, but on the contrary, as a net investment for Chile and its future possibilities. The Expo’s challenge can be approached in a more successful manner through exercising of public/ private partnership. This cooperation is one of the keys to Chile’s entrepreneurial success in the international community.
Last February, the Chinese celebrated the New Year, their most cherished annual celebration. They bid farewell to the Year of the Rat and welcomed the Year of the Ox. Curiously, and amid the difficult global economic scenario, the ox is a symbol of prosperity, fortitude and above all, hard work. Let’s take advantage of the windows of opportunity that have been presented to us and, like the symbol of 2009, let’s dedicate all of our strength toward achieving the best possible participation for Chile in World Expo Shanghai 2010.
Hernán Somerville S.
Commissioner General