During a meeting held behind closed doors, the heads of the delegations discussed current issues related to trade and economic cooperation, the situation on the market of energy resources and prospects for the development of information technology.
Following the meeting, the APEC leaders adopted a declaration on their intention to ensure individual and collective access to Internet services to people in all countries of the huge region, stretching from Russia to Australia by 2010.
APEC leaders noted the improvement of the economic situation in the Asia-Pacific region, where signs of a return to sustainable economic growth could already be seen. The delegates spoke about risks connected with the instability of the oil market and called for it to be stabilised in the interests of both producers and consumers.
The declaration also said that it was in the interests of all WTO members, especially underdeveloped and developing countries, to begin a new round of talks in the World Trade Organisation as soon as possible. The document stressed that in order to successfully launch a new round of consultations in 2001, it was first necessary to coordinate a well-balanced agenda.
The forum participants welcomed Russia’s intention to become a WTO member.
The APEC summit ended with a photo session at which the APEC leaders posed in national costumes of Brunei.