The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is a supranational association of Pacific Rim economies whose leaders and other representatives meet with the purpose of improving economic linkages within the region. Australia played a pivotal role in establishing APEC in 1989 at the end of the Cold War to promote economic growth and to strengthen the economies of the region.

APEC was formed against the background of increasingly protectionist sentiment around the world, particularly in the United States and the European Union (EU). APEC was conceived partly as the result of concern that the world could divide into three trading blocs: Asia, the European Union (EU), and the Americas. APEC exemplifies the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies. The heads of government of all APEC members meet annually ...