What is the full name of APEC?

The Full name is Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. It is the highest-level, most wide-ranging, and most influential economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region.

In which year was APEC established? Where was the first meeting held?

It was established in November 1989. The first ministerial meeting was held in Canberra, Australia, marking the official founding of APEC.

What is the core purpose of APEC?

To support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, to build a vibrant and harmonious Asia-Pacific family, to defend free and open trade and investment, to accelerate regional economic integration, to encourage economic and technical cooperation, to ensure human security and to promote a favorable and sustainable business environment.

Who are the current members of APEC?

There are 21 member economies, including China, the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. There are also three observers: the ASEAN Secretariat, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat.

What do leaders discuss during the meetings?

They primarily discuss issues related to the global and regional economies, such as trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, regional economic integration, connectivity, economic structural reform, innovation-driven development, the global multilateral trading system, and economic and technical cooperation (ECOTECH) and capacity building.

Why are APEC meetings described as "informal"?

The meetings operate on the basis of voluntary cooperation and consensus. Decisions must be agreed upon by all members. The resulting documents are not legally binding, but members have a political and moral responsibility to implement them to the best of their ability.

When was the first APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) held?

It was held in November 1993 in Seattle, U.S. Since then, it has been held annually, typically scheduled between September and November.

Why are APEC participants called "economies" instead of "countries"?

This is because members join as economic entities. For instance, China's Hong Kong and Taiwan participate as regional economies.

What is the meaning of the APEC logo?

The logo shows: the Pacific half of the globe which emphasizes APEC's membership. The green and blue colors symbolize the aspirations of the people in the Asia Pacific for a life of prosperity, health and welfare, while the white color stands for peace and stability. The shaded areas at the margins illustrate the buoyant outlook for progress and growth for the Asia-Pacific region.

What is the meaning of the APEC China 2026 logo?

The logo features 21 interwoven feathers, each distinct yet seamlessly connected, forming the shape of the bird Peng. The design represents the 21 APEC member economies, diverse but connected, harnessing momentum and rising together toward shared prosperity.

How many levels are there in the APEC operational mechanism?

There are five levels, from top to bottom: Economic Leaders' Meeting, Ministerial Meetings, Senior Officials' Meetings, Committees and Working Groups, The Secretariat.

What is the core difference between APEC and other international economic organizations?

APEC is a "forum-style" cooperation mechanism rather than a mandatory international organization. It emphasizes flexibility, pragmatism and consensus.

What types of outcomes or initiatives result from APEC meetings?

These include the "Economic Leaders' Declaration," "Ministerial Joint Statements," as well as specific initiatives, action plans, and working group reports.

What mechanism does APEC use to promote the implementation of initiatives?

APEC enhances implementation capacity through capacity-buidling projects. It relies on Individual and Collective Action Plans for regular reporting and progress monitoring. It also drives initiatives through agenda-setting, pathfinder initiatives, contributing to multilateral solutions, and supporting Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Why is APEC important?

APEC members account for approximately 70% of global investment, 60% of global GDP, 50% of global trade, and 40% of the world's population.