APEC 2006

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the only trans-Pacific forum dedicated to intergovernmental economic cooperation. APEC members account for 57% of world GDP, 45% of world population and 50% of world trade.

APEC's year-round activities culminate in an annual APEC Summit where Leaders adopt a vision statement aimed at achieving stability, security and prosperity for all people of the Asia-Pacific region.

This year, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Ministers will gather for the Annual Ministerial Meeting on 15-16 November. APEC 2006 meetings will then conclude with the APEC Leaders Summit, to be held on 18-19 November. Key issues that Leaders will discuss at the Summit cover Economy and Trade, Security and APEC Reform.

Canada's 2006 APEC priorities are:

1. To advance key Canadian trade policy interests including support for the WTO Doha Development Agenda, support for our regional trade and investment promotion and policy objectives, and making the Asia-Pacific region more accessible to Canadian businesses, including women-owned enterprises. These are addressed through APEC's work on trade facilitation, transparency and anti-corruption, and intellectual property rights.
   
   
2. To enhance security in the Asia-Pacific region by expanding adherence to counter-terrorism agreements, continuing to provide counter-terrorism capacity building, and enhancing health security and infectious diseases strategies.
   
   
3. To promote economic policy objectives such as private sector development, structural reform and global energy security and sustainability.