APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)

APEC was established in response to the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific

economies and to the need to advance Asia-Pacific economic dynamism and sense of community.

APEC began in 1989, when Australia hosted the first annual meeting of Foreign and Trade
Ministers from 12 Asia-Pacific economies to discuss ways to increase cooperation in this fast-
expanding region of the world. Canada was a founding member of the APEC forum, along with
Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the
Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

APEC now comprises 21 member economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile,
People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico,
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese
Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.

There are three official observers: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Secretariat, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), and the Pacific Island Forum (PIF).

Members:

 Australia since 1989

 Brunei since 1989
 Canada since 1989
 Indonesia since 1989
 Japan since 1989
 South Korea since 1989
 Malaysia since 1989
 New Zealand since 1989
 Philippines since 1989
 Singapore since 1989
 Thailand since 1989
 United States since 1989
 Republic of China since 1991
 Hong Kong since 1991
 People’s Republic of China since 1991
 Mexico since 1993
 Papua New Guinea since 1993
 Chile since 1994
 Peru since 1998
 Russia since 1998
 Vietnam since 1998