PECC's Overview>Background

Background

The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1980 to serve as a forum to discuss cooperation and policy coordination in areas that would promote economic growth and development in the Pacific Region. It is tripartite in nature, consisting of government officials, business leaders and academics, all participating in their personal capacity.

PECC actively cooperates with international and regional fora on economic and trade matters. PECC is one of the three official observers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

PECC has 23 full members: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Ecuador; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; Mongolia; New Zealand; Peru; the Philippines; Pacific Islands Forum (PIF); Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States and Viet Nam
1 associate members: France (Pacific Territories) and
2 institutional members: Pacific Trade and Development Conference (PAFTAD) and Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC).

The 17th PECC General Meeting (PECC XVII) and Standing Committee Meetings were held in Sydney , Australia on 29 April - 2 May 2007. The theme of PECC XVII was "Managing the Challenges of Growth." HKCPEC was commended for introducing youth delegates at the previous PECC General Meeting held in 2005. At the 2007 meeting, the participation of youth delegates from Australia , Hong Kong , Korea , Singapore and Mexico was considered valuable as an important outreach initiative which is expected to continue in future meetings.