This is what WE think is interesting about APEC!

  • 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.
  • APEC might only be 21 ECONOMIES. 21 ONLY. But it accounts for 60% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product.
  • At the end of each APEC summit, leaders pose for a photograph in a costume that represents the host nation.
  • The logo itself! Having the 21 strokes come together to one point represents the 21 APEC economies coming together to discuss and reach one decision supported by all the member economies.  The strokes vary in length and size; this indicates that despite the economies in APEC varying in size, they are still able to come together as one.
  • APEC began as an informal Ministerial-level dialogue group with 12 members. The 12 member economies were:

1. Australia  
2. Brunei Darussalam  
3. Canada  
4. Indonesia  
5. Japan 
6. Republic of Korea  
7. Malaysia  
8. New Zealand 
9. The Philippines  
10. Singapore 
11. Thailand  
12. The United States

  • Overheard (kind of): “I didn’t know that (the) APEC thing is such a big event until now” !!