In two days of discussions, which conclude today, the officials focused on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations which foundered due to a split between rich and poor nations.
"Apec officials agreed that the group needs to cooperate to send a strong signal for the success of the WTO talks because they are important for developing countries," foreign ministry spokesperson Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.
However, Sihasak told reporters in a briefing late yesterday that the senior officials did not go into the details of the so-called "Singapore issues" that were at the heart of the conflict at the WTO talks in Cancun, Mexico.
The Singapore issues relate to cross-border investment, competition policies, trade facilitation and government procurement.
Developing countries oppose the issues, fearing in particular that a new international investment regime would benefit multilateral corporations at the expense of their own industries.
The conference was also riven by deep divisions on agriculture, with developing countries clamoring for an end to trade-distorting subsidies offered to farmers in rich countries.
Sihasak said the Apec senior officials also agreed to set up a permanent mechanism of health officials to help prevent the spread of epidemics such as Sars, which knocked regional economies earlier this year.
The officials did not decide how the mechanism would work, but it has been given an initial two-year term which can be extended if necessary, he said.
Apec groups 21 Pacific Rim nations: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam. – Sapa-AFP.
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