Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation#History

File:APEC ABC.ogv news report of the first APEC meeting in Canberra, November 1989, featuring delegates watching the Melbourne Cup]]

The initial inspiration for APEC came when the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s series of post-ministerial conferences, launched in the mid-1980s, had demonstrated the feasibility and value of regular conferences among ministerial-level representatives of both developed and developing economies. By 1986, the post-ministerial conferences had expanded to embrace 12 members (the then six members of ASEAN and its six dialogue partners). The developments led Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke to believe in the necessity of region-wide co-operation on economic matters. In January 1989, Bob Hawke called for more effective economic co-operation across the Pacific Rim region. This led to the first meeting of APEC in the Australian capital of Canberra in November, chaired by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Gareth Evans. Attended by ministers from twelve countries, the meeting concluded with commitments to hold future annual meetings in Singapore and South Korea. Ten months later, representatives of 12 Asia-Pacific economies met in Canberra, Australia, to establish APEC. The APEC Secretariat, based in Singapore, was established to co-ordinate the activities of the organisation.

During the 1994 meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, APEC leaders adopted the Bogor Goals, which aimed for free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by 2010 for industrialised economies and by 2020 for developing economies. During the November 1995 Ministerial Meeting in Osaka, Japan, a business advisory body named the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) composed of three business executives from each member-country was agreed to be established in 1996.{{Cite web |title=1995 APEC Ministerial Meeting |url=https://www.apec.org/meeting-papers/annual-ministerial-meetings/1995/1995_amm |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=APEC |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1995 APEC Ministerial Meeting {{!}} 1995 APEC Ministerial Meeting |url=https://www.apec.org/meeting-papers/annual-ministerial-meetings/1995/1995_amm/att_decl |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=APEC |language=en}}

In April 2001, APEC, in collaboration with five other international organisations (Eurostat, International Energy Agency, {{ill|Organización Latinoamericana de Energía|lt=Organización Latinoamericana de Energía (OLADE)|es|Organización Latinoamericana de Energía}}, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the United Nations Statistics Division) launched the Joint Oil Data Exercise, which in 2005 became the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI).

The location of the annual meeting rotates among the members.

File:APEC2006 Roh Bush Abe.jpg with Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Former U.S. President George W. Bush at APEC 2006 in Hanoi, Vietnam]]

File:P20231116OC-0586.jpg. Participating "economies" do not always use their usual or most popular countries' names, with Russia using its full formal name, "The Russian Federation", or Taiwan being presented by the "Chinese Taipei" designation. On the other hand, Vietnam uses its official but relatively unusual and unconventional spelling "Viet Nam".]]

Currently, APEC has 21 members. The criterion for membership, however, is that each member must be an independent economic entity, rather than a sovereign state. As a result, APEC uses the term member economies rather than member countries to refer to its members. One result of this criterion is that membership of the forum includes Taiwan (officially the Republic of China, participating under the name "Chinese Taipei") alongside People's Republic of China (see Cross-Strait relations), as well as Hong Kong, which entered APEC as a British colony but it is now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. APEC also includes three official observers: ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council.

File:Anthony Albanese portrait (cropped).jpg|alt=Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia|{{AUS}}
Anthony Albanese,
Prime Minister

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Hassanal Bolkiah,
Sultan

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Mark Carney,
Prime Minister

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Gabriel Boric,
President

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Xi Jinping,
CCP General Secretary and President{{efn|name=cn}}

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John Lee,
Chief Executive

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Prabowo Subianto,
President

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Shigeru Ishiba,
Prime Minister

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Lee Jae-myung,
President

File:Anwar Ibrahim (2024-05-23).jpg|alt=Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia|{{MAS}}
Anwar Ibrahim,
Prime Minister

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Claudia Sheinbaum,
President

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Christopher Luxon,
Prime Minister

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James Marape,
Prime Minister

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Dina Boluarte,
President

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Bongbong Marcos,
President

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Vladimir Putin,
President

File:Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong 250530-D-PM193-4275 (2025).jpg|alt=Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore|{{SGP}}
Lawrence Wong,
Prime Minister

File:賴清德總統 (cropped).jpg|alt= Lai Ching-te, President of Taiwan (represented by Lin Hsin-i)|{{TWN}}
Lai Ching-te, President
(represented by Lin Hsin-i){{efn|name=ChinTaipei}}

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Paetongtarn Shinawatra,
suspended Prime Minister

File:Phumtham Wechayachai 30 May 2025.jpg|alt=Prime Minister of Thailand|{{THA}}
Phumtham Wechayachai, acting Prime Minister

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Donald Trump,
President

File:Luong Cuong 11112024.jpg|{{VNM}}
Lương Cường,
President{{efn|name=vt|The actual head of the executive government of Vietnam is the Prime Minister, whose current holder is Phạm Minh Chính. The President of Vietnam is legally the head of state, but the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (practical highest political leader in a one-party communist state) is being Tô Lâm.}} |alt=Vietnam Lương Cường,President

File:APEC enlargement.svg

India has requested membership in APEC, and received initial support from the United States, South Korea, Australia,{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21046591-2702,00.html |title=APEC 'too busy' for free trade deal, says Canberra |publisher=The Australian |date=12 January 2007 |access-date=4 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102085630/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21046591-2702,00.html |archive-date=2 January 2008 |url-status=dead }} and Papua New Guinea.{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144616|title=Media Statement by the President of India upon the conclusion of his state visit to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand en route from Auckland to New Delhi|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=8 October 2016|archive-date=8 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208055944/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144616|url-status=live}} Officials have decided not to allow India to join for various reasons, including the fact that India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do.{{cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZoirSNiHlYD3ZRa5JhKVsPbnKrA |title=AFP: West worried India would tip APEC power balance: official |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=6 September 2007 |access-date=4 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105084407/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZoirSNiHlYD3ZRa5JhKVsPbnKrA |archive-date=5 November 2011 }} However, India was invited to be an observer for the first time in November 2011.{{cite web| url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/clinton-urges-india-expand-influence-093840435.html| title=Clinton urges India to expand influence| first=Matthew| last=Lee| agency=Associated Press| date=20 July 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224145655/http://news.yahoo.com/clinton-urges-india-expand-influence-093840435.html| archive-date=24 February 2015| url-status=live}}

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Macau, Mongolia,{{cite web|url=http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/23904-negotiations-APEC-membership.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221050503/http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/23904-negotiations-APEC-membership.html|url-status=dead|title=MACAU DAILY TIMES – No negotiations on APEC membership|date=21 February 2013|archive-date=21 February 2013|access-date=12 November 2017}} Laos, Cambodia,{{cite web|url=http://www.india-voice.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=50|title=India Voice – India will have to wait for APEC membership|first=Neena|last=Bhandari|website=india-voice.com|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113070622/http://www.india-voice.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=50|url-status=dead}} Costa Rica,{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Leff |title=Costa Rica Inches Toward Coveted APEC Membership |url=http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/2600 |work=Americas Quarterly |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=22 June 2011 |archive-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405122728/http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/2600 |url-status=live }} Colombia,{{cite web|url=http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=16917 |title=Peru, Colombia seek closer Central America, APEC trade ties – |publisher=Dominicantoday.com |date=29 August 2006 |access-date=4 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014062657/http://dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=16917 |archive-date=14 October 2007 }} Panama, and Ecuador,{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/200410/08/eng20041008_159319.html |title=People's Daily Online – Ecuador seeks APEC accession in 2007 |work=People's Daily |date=8 October 2004 |access-date=4 November 2011 |archive-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405122756/http://english.people.com.cn/200410/08/eng20041008_159319.html |url-status=live }} are among a dozen other economies that have applied for membership in APEC. Colombia applied for APEC's membership as early as in 1995, but its bid was halted as the organisation stopped accepting new members from 1993 to 1996,{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/200609/06/eng20060906_300141.html |title=People's Daily Online – Colombia seeks APEC membership in 2007: FM |work=People's Daily |date=6 September 2006 |access-date=4 November 2011 |archive-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405122753/http://english.people.com.cn/200609/06/eng20060906_300141.html |url-status=live }} and the moratorium was further prolonged to 2007 due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

As a regional organization, APEC has always played a leading role in the area of reform initiatives in the area of business facilitation. The APEC Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAPI) has contributed to a reduction of 6% in the cost of business transactions across the region between 2002 and 2006. According to APEC's projections, the cost of conducting business transactions will be reduced by another 5% between 2007 and 2010. To this end, a new Trade Facilitation Action Plan has been endorsed. According to a 2008 research brief published by the World Bank as part of its Trade Costs and Facilitation Project, increasing transparency in the region's trading system is critical if APEC is to meet its Bogor Goal targets.[http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=1697684&pagePK=64168176&piPK=64168140&theSitePK=1697658 "Transparency Reform Could Raise Trade by $148 Billion in APEC"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530045149/http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=1697684&pagePK=64168176&piPK=64168140&theSitePK=1697658 |date=30 May 2008 }} John S. Wilson & Benjamin Taylor; Trade Facilitation Reform Research Brief, The World Bank. 2008. The APEC Business Travel Card, a travel document for visa-free business travel within the region is one of the concrete measures to facilitate business. In May 2010 Russia joined the scheme, thus completing the circle.{{Cite web|title = Russia joins the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme|url = http://apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2010/0529_russia_abtc.aspx|website = apec.org|access-date = 5 August 2015|date = 29 May 2010|location = Sapporo|archive-date = 9 November 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111109094411/http://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2010/0529_russia_abtc.aspx|url-status = dead}}

APEC first formally started discussing the concept of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) at its summit in 2006 in Hanoi. However, the proposal for such an area has been around since at least 1966 and Japanese economist {{Interlanguage link multi|Kiyoshi Kojima|ja|3=小島清}}'s proposal for a Pacific Free Trade agreement proposal. While it gained little traction, the idea led to the formation of Pacific Trade and Development Conference and then the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council in 1980 and then APEC in 1989.

In the wake of the 2006 summit, economist C. Fred Bergsten advocated a Free Trade Agreement of Asia-Pacific, including the United States amongst the proposed parties to any agreement at that time.Bergsten, C. Fred, "Toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific", Peterson Institute for International Economics Number Pb07-2. Pdf can be found via Google. Retrieved 9 November 2014. His ideas convinced the APEC Business Advisory Council to support this concept. Relatedly, ASEAN and existing free trade agreement (FTA) partners negotiated the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), not officially including Russia.{{Cite web |url=http://thebricspost.com/china-led-rcep-trade-talks-to-begin-in-may/ |title=China-led RCEP trade talks to begin in May |website=The BRICS Post |date=25 April 2013 |access-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110180611/http://thebricspost.com/china-led-rcep-trade-talks-to-begin-in-may/ |archive-date=10 November 2014 |url-status=deviated}} The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without China or Russia involved became the US-promoted trade negotiation in the region. At the APEC summit in Beijing in 2014, the three plans were all in discussion.{{Cite news |title=Chinese President touts 'Asia-Pacific dream' |url=https://www.dw.com/en/chinas-president-xi-touts-asia-pacific-dream-ahead-of-apec-summit/a-18050065 |date=11 September 2014 |access-date=6 July 2023 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116213102/https://www.dw.com/en/chinas-president-xi-touts-asia-pacific-dream-ahead-of-apec-summit/a-18050065 |url-status=live}} President Obama hosted a TPP meeting at the US Embassy in Beijing in advance of the APEC gathering.{{Cite news |title=Harper, Obama attend Asia-Pacific trade deal meeting in Beijing |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1662792/harper-obama-attend-trade-meeting-in-beijing-as-deadline-for-deal-nears/ |first=Lee-Anne |last=Goodman |website=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=10 November 2014 |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=7 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207131000/http://globalnews.ca/news/1662792/harper-obama-attend-trade-meeting-in-beijing-as-deadline-for-deal-nears/ |url-status=live}}

The proposal for a FTAAP arose due to the lack of progress in the Doha round of World Trade Organization negotiations, and as a way to overcome the "noodle bowl" effect created by overlapping and conflicting elements of the copious free trade agreements – there were approximately 60 free trade agreements in 2007, with an additional 117 in the process of negotiation in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.{{cite web|url=http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2007/09northeastasia_brilliant.aspx |title=FTAAP |publisher=Brookings.edu |date=September 2007 |access-date=4 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920100958/http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2007/09northeastasia_brilliant.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2011 }} In 2012, ASEAN+6 countries alone had 339 free trade agreements – many of which were bilateral.{{efn|"As of January 2012 ASEAN countries have 186 FTAs implemented, signed, under negotiation or under proposal/study, which is substantial progress since… 1992. The ASEAN+6 countries have a total of 339 FTAs, including between ASEAN countries and the '+6' countries."Chia Siow Yue. "The Emerging Regional Economic Integration Architecture in East Asia". Asian Economic Papers (MIT Press). Vol. 12, No. 1 (2013): p. 1–37}}

The FTAAP is more ambitious in scope than the Doha round, which limits itself to reducing trade restrictions. The FTAAP would create a free trade zone that would considerably expand commerce and economic growth in the region.{{cite web |url=http://www.petersoninstitute.org/publications/opeds/oped.cfm?ResearchID=655 |title=Plan B for World Trade |publisher=Petersoninstitute.org |access-date=4 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102223950/http://www.petersoninstitute.org/publications/opeds/oped.cfm?ResearchID=655 |archive-date=2 January 2016 |url-status=dead }} No reference to numbers of FTAs. The economic expansion and growth in trade could exceed the expectations of other regional free trade areas such as the ASEAN Plus Three (ASEAN + China, South Korea and Japan).[http://www.iie.com/publications/pb/pb07-2.pdf Policy Briefs in International Economics] (PDF) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010183255/http://www.iie.com/publications/pb/pb07-2.pdf |date=10 October 2007 }} Some criticisms include that the diversion of trade within APEC members would create trade imbalances, market conflicts and complications with nations of other regions. The development of the FTAAP is expected to take many years, involving essential studies, evaluations and negotiations between member economies. It is also affected by the absence of political will and popular agitations and lobbying against free trade in domestic politics.{{Cite web |title=Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific |url=https://www.pecc.org/research/ftaap |website=pecc.org |access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116213103/https://www.pecc.org/research/ftaap |url-status=live}}

At the 2014 APEC summit in Beijing, APEC leaders agreed to launch "a collective strategic study" on the FTAAP and instruct officials to undertake the study, consult stakeholders and report the result by the end of 2016.{{Cite news |title=APEC roadmap on FTAAP a historic decision: Xi |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-11/11/c_133782162.htm |website=Xinhuanet |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-date=7 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207014747/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-11/11/c_133782162.htm}} APEC Executive Director Alan Bollard revealed in the Elite Talk show that FTAAP will be APEC's big goal out into the future.{{Cite web |title=Elite Talk: A talk with APEC chief Alan Bollard on China's APEC championship, the FTAAP and New Silk Road |url=http://en.people.cn/102775/310666/index.html |website=People's Daily Online |date=10 November 2014 |access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108095239/http://en.people.cn/102775/310666/index.html |url-status=live}}

The Trans-Pacific Partnership included 12 of the 21 APEC members and had provisions for the accession of other APEC members, five of which expressed interest in membership.

In 1993, APEC Leaders decided to establish a network of APEC Study Centres (APCs) among universities and research institutions in member economies. The purpose is to foster cooperation among tertiary and research institutes of member economies, thus having better academic collaboration on key regional economic challenges. To encourage independence from the APEC conference, the APCs are funded independently and choose their own research topics.{{Cite web|url=http://www.apec.org/en/Groups/Other-Groups/APEC-Study-Centers-Consortium.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201162758/http://www.apec.org/en/Groups/Other-Groups/APEC-Study-Centers-Consortium.aspx|url-status=dead|title=APEC Study Center Contortium|archivedate=1 December 2010}}

As of December 2018, there are 70 APCs among the member economies. An annual conference is usually held in the host economy for that year.

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) was created by the APEC Economic Leaders in November 1995 with the aim of providing advice to the APEC Economic Leaders on ways to achieve the Bogor Goals and other specific business sector priorities, and to provide the business perspective on specific areas of co-operation.{{cite web|url=https://www2.abaconline.org/|title=Home – APEC Business Advisory Council |website=abaconline.org|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-date=5 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405122805/https://www2.abaconline.org/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ncapec.org/abac/index.html|title=National Center for APEC – About ABAC|website=ncapec.org|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113003551/http://www.ncapec.org/abac/index.html|archive-date=13 November 2017|url-status=dead}}

Each economy nominates up to three members from the private sector to ABAC. These business leaders represent a wide range of industry sectors. ABAC provides an annual report to APEC Economic Leaders containing recommendations to improve the business and investment environment in the Asia-Pacific region, and outlining business views about priority regional issues. ABAC is also the only non-governmental organisation that is on the official agenda of the APEC Economic Leader's Meeting.{{cite web|url=http://www.chinaapec.org/en/about_apec/content_2.shtml|title=APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) – China APEC Development Council|website=chinaapec.org|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-date=5 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405122807/http://www.chinaapec.org/en/about_apec/content_2.shtml|url-status=live}}

{{anchor|APEC Economic Leaders' Meetings}}

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File:1996 Asia Pacific Economic Leaders Meeting (APEC) Philippines - Subic Bay Freeport Zone.webm

Since its formation in 1989, APEC has held annual meetings with representatives from all member economies. The first four annual meetings were attended by ministerial-level officials. Beginning in 1993, the annual meetings are named APEC Economic Leaders' Meetings and are attended by the heads of government from all member economies except Taiwan, which is represented by a ministerial-level official.

In 1997, the APEC meeting was held in Vancouver. Controversy arose after officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police used pepper spray against protesters. The protesters objected to the presence of autocratic leaders such as Indonesian president Suharto.{{cite book |first=W. Wesley |last=Pue |title=Pepper in our Eyes: the APEC Affair |year=2000 |publisher=UBC Press |location=Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |isbn=978-0-7748-0779-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/pepperinoureyesa0000unse }}

{{cite news

|first=Bruce

|last=Wallace

|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0011768

|title=APEC Protest Controversy

|work=Maclean's via The Canadian Encyclopedia

|publisher=Historica Foundation of Canada

|date=21 September 1998

|access-date=6 September 2006

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930060927/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0011768

|archive-date=30 September 2007

}}{{cite news

|first = Chris

|last = Nuttall-Smith

|others = Sarah Galashan

|url = http://www.varsity.utoronto.ca/archives/118/nov27/news/APEC.html

|title = APEC summit gets nasty at UBC

|work = Varsity News

|publisher = Varsity Publications, Inc.

|date = 27 November 1997

|access-date = 6 September 2006

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061013060134/http://www.varsity.utoronto.ca/archives/118/nov27/news/APEC.html

|archive-date = 13 October 2006

|url-status = dead

}}{{cite news

|first = Sarah

|last = Schmidt

|url = http://www.varsity.utoronto.ca/archives/118/jan06/news/APEC.html

|title = Student protesters fight back for civil rights

|work = Varsity News

|publisher = Varsity Publications, Inc.

|date = 6 January 1998

|access-date = 6 September 2006

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061013050320/http://www.varsity.utoronto.ca/archives/118/jan06/news/APEC.html

|archive-date = 13 October 2006

|url-status = dead

}}{{cite press release

|title = Civil rights group denounces attack on UBC students' APEC protests

|publisher = British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA)

|date = 23 November 1997

|url = http://www.bccla.org/pressreleases/97apec.html

|access-date = 6 September 2006

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061005104658/http://www.bccla.org/pressreleases/97apec.html

|archive-date = 5 October 2006

|url-status = dead

}}{{cite press release

|title=Student member of BCCLA executive arrested!

|publisher=British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA)

|date=25 November 1997

|url=http://www.bccla.org/pressreleases/97jonesarrested.html

|access-date=6 September 2006

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005103427/http://www.bccla.org/pressreleases/97jonesarrested.html

|archive-date=5 October 2006

|url-status=dead

}}

At the 2001 Leaders' Meeting in Shanghai, APEC leaders pushed for a new round of trade negotiations and support for a program of trade capacity-building assistance, leading to the launch of the Doha Development Agenda a few weeks later. The meeting also endorsed the Shanghai Accord proposed by the United States, emphasising the implementation of open markets, structural reform, and capacity building. As part of the accord, the meeting committed to develop and implement APEC transparency standards, reduce trade transaction costs in the Asia-Pacific region by five percent over five years, and pursue trade liberalisation policies relating to information technology goods and services.

In 2003, Jemaah Islamiah leader Riduan Isamuddin had planned to attack the APEC Leaders Meeting to be held in Bangkok in October. He was captured in the city of Ayutthaya, Thailand by Thai police on 11 August 2003, before he could finish planning the attack.{{Cite news |last=Bonner |first=David Johnston With Raymond |date=2003-08-15 |title=Suspect in Indonesia Bombings Is Captured in Asia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/15/world/suspect-in-indonesia-bombings-is-captured-in-asia.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Chile became the first South American nation to host the Leaders' Meeting in 2004. The agenda of that year was focused on terrorism and commerce, small and medium enterprise development, and contemplation of free agreements and regional trade agreements.

The 2005 Leaders' Meeting was held in Busan, South Korea. The meeting focused on the Doha round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, leading up to the WTO Ministerial Conference of 2005 held in Hong Kong in December. Weeks earlier, trade negotiations in Paris were held between several WTO members, including the United States and the European Union, centred on reducing agricultural trade barriers. APEC leaders at the summit urged the European Union to agree to reduce farm subsidies. In a continuation of the climate information sharing initiative established by the APEC Climate Network working group, it was decided by the leaders to install the APEC Climate Center in Busan. Peaceful protests against APEC were staged in Busan, but the meeting schedule was not affected.

At the Leaders' Meeting held on 19 November 2006 in Hanoi, APEC leaders called for a new start to global free-trade negotiations while condemning terrorism and other threats to security. APEC also criticised North Korea for conducting a nuclear test and a missile test launch that year, urging the country to take "concrete and effective" steps toward nuclear disarmament. Concerns about nuclear proliferation in the region was discussed in addition to economic topics. The United States and Russia signed an agreement as part of Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization.

The APEC Australia 2007 Leaders' Meeting was held in Sydney from 2–9 September 2007. The political leaders agreed to an "aspirational goal" of a 25% reduction of energy intensity correlative with economic development.{{cite web | publisher= World Nuclear News | url= http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/energyEnvironment/APEC_supports_nuclear_agrees_climate_targets.shtml | title = Apec supports nuclear, agrees climate targets | date = 10 September 2007 | access-date=15 September 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071004151857/http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/energyEnvironment/APEC_supports_nuclear_agrees_climate_targets.shtml| archive-date= 4 October 2007 | url-status= live}} Extreme security measures including airborne sharpshooters and extensive steel-and-concrete barricades were deployed against anticipated protesters and potential terrorists. However, protest activities were peaceful and the security envelope was penetrated with ease by a spoof diplomatic motorcade manned by members of the Australian television program The Chaser, one of whom was dressed to resemble the Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The APEC Chile 2019, originally to be held 16–17 November 2019 in Chile, was cancelled due to ongoing protests by sections of its population over inequality, the cost of living and police repression.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/30/chile-protests-president-sebastian-pinera-protest-unrest|title=Chilean president cancels Apec and climate summits amid wave of unrest|last1=Phillips|first1=Tom|date=30 October 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 November 2019|last2=Watts|first2=Jonathan|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|last3=Franklin|first3=Jonathan|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029212058/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/30/chile-protests-president-sebastian-pinera-protest-unrest|url-status=live}}

The 2023 APEC meeting was notable for a lack of consensuses of group members on their stance over the Russia–Ukraine and Gaza conflicts as well as consensus for WTO reforms. The meeting between Biden and Xi was also seen as significant in terms of reducing tensions between the US and China.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-18 |title=Apec summit ends with unity on WTO reform but not Gaza or Ukraine |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/18/apec-summit-ends-with-unity-on-wto-reform-but-not-gaza-or-ukraine |access-date=2023-11-22 |issn=0261-3077}}

At the end of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the leaders gather for the official APEC Leaders' Family Photo. A tradition has the leaders dressing to reflect the culture of the host member. The tradition dates to the first such meeting in 1993 when then-U.S. President Bill Clinton insisted on informal attire and gave the leaders leather bomber jackets. At the 2010 meeting, Japan had the leaders dress in smart casual rather than the traditional kimono.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AA4H220101111 |title=No kimonos for APEC leaders in Japan |work=Reuters |date=11 November 2010 |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115061555/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AA4H220101111 |archive-date=15 November 2010 |url-status=live }} Similarly, when Honolulu was selected in 2009 as the site for the 2011 APEC meeting, U.S. President Barack Obama joked that he looked forward to seeing the leaders dressed in "flowered shirts and grass skirts". After viewing previous photos, and concerned that having the leaders dress in aloha shirts might give the wrong impression during a period of economic austerity, Obama instead decided it might be time to end the tradition. Leaders were given a specially designed aloha shirt as a gift but were not expected to wear it for the photo.{{cite news|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/133780488.html?id=133780488|title=No aloha for Hawaiian shirts at APEC family photo|work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|date=13 November 2011|access-date=13 November 2011|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016184919/http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/133780488.html?id=133780488|url-status=dead}} Leaders in Bali, Indonesia at the 2013 conference wore a batik outfit; in China 2014 Tang suit jackets; in the Philippines 2015 barong tagalogs; in Peru 2016 vicuña wool shawls; in 2017 Vietnamese silk shirts.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2015/nov/17/awkward-apec-fashion-what-the-world-leaders-wore-in-pictures |title=Awkward Apec Fashion: what the world leaders wore |author= |date=8 November 2018 |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 November 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109234036/https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2015/nov/17/awkward-apec-fashion-what-the-world-leaders-wore-in-pictures |url-status=live }}

File:Photograph of President William Jefferson Clinton and Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on the Tyee Ferry on Blake Island in Seattle, Washington - NARA - 5720209.jpg|APEC United States 1993

File:Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit in Brunei 15-16 November-9.jpg|APEC Brunei 2000

File:Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit in China 19-21 October 2001-14.jpg|APEC China 2001

File:Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit in Thailand 19-21 October 2003-16.jpg|APEC Thailand 2003

File:Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit in Chile 20-21 November 2004-3.jpg|APEC Chile 2004

File:Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit in South Korea 18-19 November 2005-8.jpg|APEC South Korea 2005

File:Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit in Vietnam 18-19 November 2006-11.jpg|APEC Vietnam 2006

File:Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit in Australia 7-9 September 2007-3.jpg|APEC Australia 2007

File:Dmitry Medvedev at APEC Summit in Peru 22-23 November 2008-2.jpg|APEC Peru 2008

File:Singapore APEC 2009 leaders.jpg|APEC Singapore 2009

File:13.11.2010 Gira a Asia.jpg|APEC Japan 2010

File:APEC Hawaii.jpg|APEC United States 2011

File:APEC Russia 2012.jpg|APEC Russia 2012

File:Apec 2013.jpg|APEC Indonesia 2013

File:APEC Summit China 2014.jpg|APEC China 2014

File:APEC Philippines 2015 delegates.jpg|APEC Philippines 2015

File:Foto Oficial APEC 2016 (LIMA PERU).jpg|APEC Peru 2016

File:APEC Vietnam 2017 Leaders Meeting.jpg|APEC Vietnam 2017

File:APEC Leaders Photo - Papua New Guinea 2018.jpg|APEC Papua New Guinea 2018

File:President Joe Biden participates in a family photo with APEC leaders and guest leaders on November 16, 2023 in San Francisco, California.jpg|APEC United States 2023

File:APEC Peru 2024 family photo.jpg|APEC Peru 2024

• {{flagicon| Australia}} APEC Australia 1989
• {{flagicon| Singapore}} APEC Singapore 1990
• {{flagicon| South Korea}} APEC South Korea 1991
• {{flagicon| Thailand}} APEC Thailand 1992
• {{flagicon|United States}} APEC United States 1993
• {{flagicon|Indonesia}} APEC Indonesia 1994
• {{flagicon|Japan}} APEC Japan 1995
• {{flagicon|Philippines}} APEC Philippines 1996
• {{flagicon|Canada}} APEC Canada 1997
• {{flagicon|Malaysia}} APEC Malaysia 1998
• {{flagicon|New Zealand}} APEC New Zealand 1999
• {{flagicon|Brunei}} APEC Brunei 2000
• {{flagicon|China}} APEC China 2001
• {{flagicon|Mexico}} APEC Mexico 2002
• {{flagicon|Thailand}} APEC Thailand 2003
• {{flagicon|Chile}} APEC Chile 2004
• {{flagicon|South Korea}} APEC South Korea 2005
• {{flagicon|Vietnam}} APEC Vietnam 2006
• {{flagicon|Australia}} APEC Australia 2007
• {{flagicon|Peru}} APEC Peru 2008
• {{flagicon|Singapore}} APEC Singapore 2009
• {{flagicon|Japan}} APEC Japan 2010
• {{flagicon|United States}} APEC United States 2011
• {{flagicon|Russia}} APEC Russia 2012
• {{flagicon|Indonesia}} APEC Indonesia 2013
• {{flagicon|China}} APEC China 2014
• {{flagicon|Philippines}} APEC Philippines 2015
• {{flagicon|Peru}} APEC Peru 2016
• {{flagicon|Vietnam}} APEC Vietnam 2017
• {{flagicon|Papua New Guinea}} APEC Papua New Guinea 2018
• {{flagicon|Chile}} APEC Chile 2019
• {{flagicon|Malaysia}} APEC Malaysia 2020
• {{flagicon|New Zealand}} APEC New Zealand 2021
• {{flagicon|Thailand}} APEC Thailand 2022
• {{flagicon|United States}} APEC United States 2023
• {{flagicon|Peru}} APEC Peru 2024
• {{flagicon| South Korea}} APEC South Korea 2025
• {{flagicon| China}} APEC China 2026
• {{flagicon| Vietnam}} APEC Vietnam 2027

APEC has been criticised for promoting free trade agreements that would impose restrictions on national and local laws, which regulate and ensure labour rights, environmental protection and safe and affordable access to medicine.{{cite news |last=Gerhardt |first=Tina |date=11 November 2011 |url=http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/11/11-0 |title=America's Pacific Century?: APEC Summit in Hawaii Seeks to Implement Free Trade Agreement of the Asia Pacific Region |work=Commondreams |access-date=26 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527010511/http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/11/11-0 |archive-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} According to the organisation, it is "the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region" established to "further enhance economic growth and prosperity for the region and to strengthen the Asia-Pacific community".{{Cite web|url=http://www.apec.org/apec/about_apec.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119101455/http://www.apec.org/apec/about_apec.html|url-status=dead|title=About APEC – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|archive-date=19 November 2010}} The effectiveness and fairness of its role has been questioned, especially from the viewpoints of European countries that cannot take part in APEC{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9788478 |newspaper=The Economist |title=APEC—a pretty empty chatter |date=12 September 2007 |access-date=26 May 2008 |archive-date=8 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208194518/http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9788478 |url-status=live }} and Pacific Island nations that cannot participate but stand to be affected by its decisions.

• Anti-corruption
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• East Asia Summit
• List of country groupings
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• Pacific Alliance
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• University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific

• Bay of Bengal Initiative
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• Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation
• Union for the Mediterranean

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• {{cite journal |last=Alkan |first=Abdulkadir |year=2014 |title=APEC 2014: Better diplomatic ties for better economic relations |journal=Daily Sabah |url=http://www.dailysabah.com/asia/2014/11/15/apec-2014-better-diplomatic-ties-for-better-economic-relations}}
• {{cite journal |last=Fazzone |first=Patrick B. |year=2012 |title=The Trans-Pacific Partnership—Towards a Free Trade Agreement of Asia Pacific? |journal=Georgetown Journal of International Law |volume=43 |issue=3 |pages=695–743 |issn=1550-5200 }}

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