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Strong and vibrant economies are not built by governments alone, but by partnerships between government and its key stakeholders including the business sector, industry, academia, policy and research institutions, and groups with untapped economic potential. APEC actively involves these key stakeholders because it welcomes participation that
- facilitates the attainment of APEC goals through appropriate partnerships
- strengthens the quality of APEC's work by drawing on relevant insight and expertise
- strengthens understanding and support for APEC's goals through openness, transparency and a broad-based partnership that seeks multiple perspectives from the community.
In general, non-member economies, organizations, business/private sector representatives, academic bodies and other experts may apply or be invited to APEC activities subject to guidelines.
Business Participation
APEC fully appreciates the key role that business plays in driving economic growth and involves the international business community at all levels of the APEC process. At the highest level, APEC has created the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). ABAC comprises up to three high-level business representatives from each of APEC's 21 member economies and meets four times a year. In an annual dialogue with APEC economic leaders ABAC presents recommendations to improve the business and investment environment in the Asia-Pacific region and outlines business views about priority regional issues. ABAC also has a representative at APEC sectoral ministerial meetings, and advises APEC officials on business sector priorities and concerns throughout the year.
At the working level, representatives from the private sector are invited to join APEC working groups and expert groups. This process provides an important opportunity for industry to provide input into various areas of APEC's ongoing work. Example of where this arrangement has been formalized include the APEC Automotive Dialogue and the APEC Chemical Dialogue.
Academic and Research Institution Participation
Through the APEC Study Centres (ASC) Consortium, APEC member economies actively engage academic and research institutions in the APEC process. Amongst a range of key activities, the ASC Consortium facilitates cultural and intellectual exchanges in the Asia-Pacific region and assists the APEC process by undertaking advanced, collaborative interdisciplinary and policy-relevant research from an independent and long-term perspective. There are ASCs in 21 APEC member economies, comprising more than 70 universities, research centers and centers of academic excellence across the APEC region.
Academics and research institutions also participate in the working level of APEC through meetings, seminars and other activities.
Women's Participation
APEC actively encourages and seeks the input and participation of women in the APEC process. Currently, the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy, which comprises government representatives from all 21 APEC member economies, encourages the consideration of gender issues within APEC, provides gender-based analysis training for APEC officials, and is a resource for gender-related information and advice for the integration of gender perspectives in APEC. APEC projects and activities are monitored to ensure that gender issues are considered.
How to Participate in APEC
To participate in APEC, please read the APEC Guidelines on Managing Cooperation with Non-Members and then contact the APEC Secretariat.