APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to begin

The 17th Economic Leaders' Meeting of Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation will kick off this afternoon in Singapore.

Leaders have been arriving for the meeting scheduled to start at 1 P.M. local time.

At the two-day gathering they are expected to exchange views on a wide range of issues, including regional economic integration, trade, and climate change.

The gathering of the 21 member economies is also set to issue an APEC Economic Leaders' Declaration.

It will outline the shared views of leaders on key topics and settle the strategic direction of APEC for the forthcoming year.