About The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence among the Asia-Pacific economies. From it's modest start as a n informal Ministerial-level dialogue group with only 12 members, APEC has become a impressive regional forum, mainly with the introduction of the annual informal Economic Leaders Meeting in 1993 with as goal is to advance economic dynamism and community sense in the Asia-Pacific region.
Today there are 21 APEC members comprising some 2.5 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of more than US$18 trillion and generating 47 percent of the global world trade. APEC has established itself as the primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic and technical cooperation.
The Thailand 2003 APEC Symbol
The "Sri Suphanahongsa" Royal Barge is a vessel of the Royal Thai Monarchy, especially of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Royal Thai Family is highly revered by the people in Thailand. The Royal Barge which was exquisitely crafted symbolizes Thailand's national heritage and culture.
The Royal Barge, selected as a symbol of APEC 2003 in Bangkok, represents a water-borne vessel that connects the two sides of the Pacific region with strong bonds of historic, economic, social and cultural relations. The Royal Barge can also be perceived as the symbolic means of transporting the APEC 2003 delegates back across the Pacific to Asia after the APEC 2002 meetings in Mexico.
The revolving globe in the logo signifies dynamism, interconnection, global economic cooperation and regionalism which have always been APEC's main values.
APEC 2003 Bangkok Thailand - Conference Objectives
The member economies of APEC represent the rich diversity of the region as well as differing levels of economic development. Despite such differences there is a growing sense of common purpose and cooperation aimed at sustained regional and world growth.
APEC has come a long way since 1989. It has built steadily on the efforts of the past and looks forward to further progress. The initial years of APEC were focused largely on exchanges of views and project-based initiatives. The concerns were simply to advance the process of Asia-Pacific economic cooperation and to promote a positive conclusion to the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.
Currently, there are 21 member economies in APEC. They are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; the People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; the Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States, and Viet Nam.
There are also three official observers in APEC, namely ASEAN Secretariat, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
