APEC Leaders' Meeting

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

November 21 to 25th, 1997

The eighteen heads of state (called Leaders) of the APEC economies are gathering in Vancouver to discuss action plans and priorities for APEC's future. Every time that the leaders gather, they give direction to all of the ministers, working groups and other committees that work within APEC. They communicate their ideas by drafting official documents called "statements". This document is then used to guide APEC activities and priorities for the next year.

Another important thing that happens during an APEC Leaders' meeting is that the economy that will be host the next year takes on this chairing position. Canada has hosted 1997 APEC activities and will be passing this responsibility to Malaysia (1998 host) during the Leaders' Meeting.

The APEC leaders will meet together, both formally and informally to discuss many issues. They will discuss the statements that have been drafted and agreed upon by APEC Ministers of many areas (for example, Trade, Energy, Human Resources) during their meetings this year.

How do they know if a meeting is successful? APEC works by consensus, which means that only the ideas and initiatives that every economy agrees on become priorities. Each member economy sets its own terms in deciding how and when it participates in APEC initiatives.

Click here to find out more about what the Leaders will be discussing.

Click here for more information on the Youth Communication Centre.

Back to the Leaders Main Page.

 

© 1997 - TG Magazine / The Students Commission
© 1997 le magazine TG / la Commission des Ètudiants