The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s agenda in 2015 will focus on expanding the benefits for more of the region’s 3 billion people and powering a new generation of trade, investment and sustainable economic growth amid changing global conditions.

APEC CEO Summit 2014 in China

The APEC Secretariat’s press release said senior officials from the 21 APEC member economies set the priorities during their recent meeting in Manila, the Philippines, which will chair APEC in 2015.

Next year’s agenda will be taken under the theme “Building inclusive economies, Building a better world”, which will centre on enhancing regional economic integration, fostering small- and medium-sized enterprises’ participation in the regional and global economy, investing in human capital development, and building sustainable and resilient communities.

Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to APEC Laura Del Rosario said the member economies will also review the long-term Growth Strategy adopted by APEC leaders in 2010 along with APEC membership and observer status-related issues.

The first APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and related technical meetings will take place from January 26 – February 7, 2015.