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Beyond the crisis
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-11 08:38
Other than economic growth, trade and development, organizers have said this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit will focus on "overcoming the economic crisis and positioning member economies for a sustainable recovery in the post-crisis world". APEC was formed in 1989 in light of the increasing inter-dependence of Asia-Pacific economies, with its first 12 members meeting in Canberra, Australia. The group's founding members were Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. Milestones in the group include setting the Bogor Goals of "free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by 2010 for developed economies and 2020 for developing economies", organizers said. In 2007, member economies also issued a "Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development" that outlined support in fighting global climate change. Now into its 20th year, the forum has grown to include 21 countries and regions on the Pacific Rim and this year's meeting will culminate in a series of key events this week in Singapore. Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore's prime minister, told reporters that upcoming discussions will involve fostering growth in the region in the long term. This year's APEC meeting also involves the major economies of China, Japan and the US taking part in discussions, with leaders such as Chinese President Hu Jintao, US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama scheduled to speak at the grouping's CEO summit. Organizers said this year's event is expected to see a record number of 1,500 participants, Xinhua reported. China Daily
(China Daily 11/11/2009 page10) |
