People walk behind signage advertising the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings ahead of the summit at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, on Nov 9, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

SAN FRANCISCO - The APEC University Leaders' Forum was held here Monday to facilitate international collaboration in promoting biodiversity.

APEC Leaders' Week 2023 from Nov 11 to 17 is themed "Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All." Hosted by the University of California, Davis, the University of California, Santa Cruz, with the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, the forum drew CEOs, policy leaders, university presidents and top researchers.

They focused on topics including sustaining the evolving biodiversity landscape, strengthening the resilience of coastal communities, protecting water and investing in economic opportunities, and innovating food systems for the survival of the planet.

ALSO READ: APEC meetings to prioritize sustainable recovery, climate action

The forum offered an opportunity for sharing new insights and identifying the partnerships needed for investing in conservation and restoration of biodiversity, said the organizer.