There is no doubt that APEC agenda has been shaped by the commitment of its member to sustain economic growth through market forces and strong community relations. While it has achieved substantial progress in its institutional development and in the advancement towards free and open trade, the effectiveness of APEC to address the current crisis has been the most recent concern. This paper reviews the APEC processes and mechanisms, its accomplishments and the factors that help shape APEC. It also evaluates how it should advance to respond better to current challenges faced by its member nations.
