 |
|
| Related Stories |
|
|
|
The Ministerial Meeting, which involves the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and of International Trade (or some equivalent, depending on the member economy), has been an important component of APEC since its inception in 1989. These Ministers play a central role within the APEC process: they must balance the demands of Leaders, while taking into account recommendations from the Senior Officials. At the annual meeting, Ministers ensure that Leaders' instructions are carried forward, they provide direction to working programs, and they endorse reports from Senior Officials.
In addition, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and of International Trade also take into account the recommendations of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), in an effort to integrate the private sector's interests within the APEC process.
When Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and of International Trade held their first meeting in Canberra, Australia, in 1989, they agreed that Ministerial Meetings should alternate between an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member economy and a non-ASEAN member economy. However, there will be a break in this pattern in the coming years, as China and Mexico host APEC in 2001 and 2002 respectively.
Editor: Zhao Xuan
Source: apec2002.org
|
|
|
|
