Singapore APEC FDC

Singapore FDC
Name: Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2009 Meetings
Date of Issue: 09 November 2009

Formed in 1989, the Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the only inter-governmental grouping in the world operating on the basis of non-binding commitments, open dialogue and equal respect for the views of all participants. Each year, the APEC meetings bring together 21 economies from the Asia - Pacific region and member economies take turns to host the meetings. Singapore is proud to host the APEC meetings for 2009. A year-long event from February to November, it will see more than 15,000 delegates from the 21 APEC member economies attend some 123 meetings and events in Singapore. This will culminate in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November where Leaders of the 21 APEC member economies will meet.

Singapore's hosting of APEC 2009 is significant as it is the first time the 21 APEC Economic Leaders will meet in Singapore. Singapore last chaired the APEC meetings in its second year in 1990, when the forum had only 12 members who met at the Ministerial level. This year also marks APEC's 20th anniversary as an inter-governmental grouping since its formation in 1989.

APEC's mission is to enhance economic growth and prosperity for the region and to strengthen the Asia - Pacific community. Over two decades, APEC has made positive contributions to businesses as well as individuals through the reduction of tariffs and trade barriers across the Asia - Pacific region, creating efficient domestic economies and in creasing exports.

As Chair of the APEC meetings for 2009, Singapore has chosen the theme "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region" which reflects the continuing efforts of APEC to facilitate trade and investment in the Asia - Pacific region. Such efforts have gained greater importance in the face of a challenging global economic environment. The year-long APEC meetings will see representatives from the 21 APEC member economies convene to discuss measures to support economic growth; address the global economic crisis; support the multilateral trading system; accelerate regional economic integration; and explore avenues to strengthen APEC as an inter-governmental grouping.

With more than 15,000 participants in Singapore during the year-long event and up to 1,500 local and international media during the APEC Leaders' Week from 8 to 15 November itself, it is a golden opportunity for Singapore to play host to our foreign guests, and to showcase what Singapore has to offer - not just in terms of being an attractive business venue, but also to promote Singapore as an exciting place to work, live and play, with our vibrant multicultural heritage, efficient infrastructure, and thriving entertainment scene.