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Asia-Pacific leaders not to wear APEC attire to take group photo

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-13 17:54

SINGAPORE: APEC economic leaders will not wear the Singapore 2009 leaders' attire during the group photo taking session Sunday, the APEC organizing committee confirmed with Xinhua Friday.

Instead, they will be in their business suits to take photo, a staff with the organizing committee said.

The change was made after US President Barack Obama delayed his visit to the APEC meeting, a statement by the organizing committee said.

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President Obama was due to attend the two-day APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on Nov. 14-15, but he "will arrive in Singapore late in the evening of Nov. 14, and will not be able to attend the 'Singapore Evening'."

Other economic leaders will wear the attire Saturday as planned at the Esplanade theater for the Singapore Evening musical gala. "The leaders' attire is a good complement to the relaxing ambience," the committee said.

As planned earlier, the attire is worn by APEC leaders during the group photo taking session. It is a tradition for the leaders attending the meeting to participate in a photo op in which they dress in a costume that reflects the culture of the host member.

The APEC Singapore 2009 leaders' attire is designed by Singaporean Wykidd Song and taken from the inspiration of the Peranakan culture, which reflects Singapore's identity as a multi-racial and multi-cultural society.