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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key with Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper at APEC 2009.Prime Minister John Key was one of 21 leaders from the Asia Pacific region attending the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Singapore, this month.
APEC exists to promote close trade and economic relationships across the Asia Pacific region. For more information on the outcomes of the 2009 APEC Forum see below:
APEC began in 1989 with 12 members and has now grown to 21.
APEC members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Viet Nam.
APEC members are referred to as "Member Economies” because not all members are states and the APEC process is predominantly concerned with trade and economic issues.
APEC spans four continents and is home to 40 per cent of the world’s population. APEC accounts for close to 44 per cent of the world’s trade and 54 per cent of global GDP.
The focal point of APEC is its Annual Economic Leaders' Meeting, the largest gathering of its kind in the region. The APEC process involves ministerial and officials' forums covering a wide range of issues, including trade and investment, economic cooperation and counter-terrorism.
APEC Member Economies
