U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Economic Growth, Education and Environment Michelle Bekkering will lead the U.S. government delegation to the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum on Women and the Economy (WEF). The Forum will take place in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from September 3-8, 2018. Bekkering concurrently serves as the Agency's Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment.

The annual WEF will propose actions and recommendations to further advance women's economic participation in the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. delegation includes representatives from the Department of State, USAID, the private sector, and civil society organizations.