About APEC

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC

Members

The APEC Secretariat, based in Singapore, hosted the ISTWG Meeting in September 2004.

APEC has 21 members - referred to as 'member economies' - which account for more than a third of the world's population (2.6 billion people), approximately 60% of world GDP (US$19 254 billion) and about 47% of world trade. It also proudly represents the most economically dynamic region in the world, having generated nearly 70% of global economic growth in its first 10 years.

APEC's 21 Member Economies are: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Republic of the Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam.

History

APEC was established in 1989 to further enhance economic growth and prosperity for the region and to strengthen the Asia-Pacific community. APEC's Theme for 2004 was 'One Community, Our Future’. This central theme was further developed by a series of sub-themes to guide APEC's working groups:

• A commitment to development through trade
• Sharing benefits through better practices
• Skills for the coming challenges
• Opportunities for entrepreneurial growth
• Growth and stability: key for APEC integration
• Commitment to sustainable growth
• Experiencing our diversity

For 2005, the Republic of Korea, the APEC host economy for the year, selected the theme 'Toward One Community: Meet the Challenge, Make the Change' to guide discussions throughout the year. Subthemes are:

• Review the Commitment to the Bogor Goals
• Ensure Transparent and Secure Business Environment
• Build Bridge Over Differences.

Science Centre Impact Project

The APEC Science Centre Impact Project relates to four key policy areas for the Industry Science & Technology Working Group (ISTWG), as endorsed at the 2004 APEC Science Ministers' Meeting. They are:

• human capacity building
• international science and technology networks
• connecting research and innovation
• technological cooperation and strategic planning

Under these themes, the APEC ISTWG has approved and sponsored the Science Centre Impact Project.

For more information about APEC, go to the APEC website: www.apec.org