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'''APEC''' (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is an [[association]] of 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region which works together to achieve economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment. <ref>http://www.apec.org/content/apec/about_apec.html</ref>

'''APEC''' ('''Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation''') is an [[association]] of 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region which works together to achieve economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment.<ref>http://www.apec.org/content/apec/about_apec.html</ref>

APEC operates on the basis of non-binding commitments. Unlike other multilateral trade bodies, APEC has no treaty obligations required of its participants. Decisions made within APEC are reached by consensus and commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis.  

APEC operates on the basis of non-binding commitments. Unlike other [[multilateral]] [[trade]] bodies, APEC has no treaty obligations required of its participants. Decisions made within APEC are reached by consensus and commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis.  

==Purpose and Goals==

==Purpose and Goals==

==Member States==

==Member States==

APEC's 21 members account for approximately 41% of the world's population, approximately 56% of world GDP and about 49% of world trade. These members are:

APEC's 21 members account for approximately 41% of the world's population, approximately 56% of [[world GDP]] and about 49% of world trade. These members are:

* [[Australia]]

* [[Australia]]

* [[Brunei|Brunei Darussalam]]

* [[Brunei|Brunei Darussalam]]

* [[United States of America]]  

* [[United States of America]]  

* [[Vietnam]]

* [[Vietnam]]

==References==

==References==