APEC Australia 2007

APEC Australia 2007. The 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit was hosted by the Government of Australia in Sydney from 2 to 9 September. It was the second time Australia had hosted the annual forum, following APEC Australia 1989, and marked a significant diplomatic and security undertaking for the Howard Government. The event culminated in a leaders' meeting attended by figures such as George W. Bush, Hu Jintao, and Vladimir Putin, resulting in the Sydney APEC Leaders' Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development.

Background and preparation

The decision for Australia to host was confirmed years in advance, with Sydney selected as the host city for its major infrastructure and symbolic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House. The Howard Government, led by Prime Minister John Howard, framed the event as a major opportunity to showcase Australia's economic and diplomatic role in the Asia-Pacific. Extensive preparations were coordinated by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia) and involved significant upgrades to security and transport networks across the Sydney central business district. The chosen theme, "Strengthening Our Community, Building a Sustainable Future," aimed to focus discussions on trade liberalization, structural reform, and emerging issues like climate change.

Security and protests

Unprecedented security measures, dubbed the "Fortress Sydney" operation, were implemented under a special policing plan led by the New South Wales Police Force and supported by the Australian Defence Force. A vast security perimeter, including a five-kilometre fence, sealed off areas around the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. Major protests were organized by groups such as the Stop Bush Coalition and involved activists like Andrew Ferguson (trade unionist). The most significant confrontation, the "Battle of Sydney," occurred on 8 September, resulting in numerous arrests. The security operation, one of the largest in Australia's peacetime history, was heavily scrutinized by media outlets including The Sydney Morning Herald.

Meetings and agenda

The week-long series of meetings began with the APEC Ministerial Meeting chaired by Alexander Downer and Warren Truss. Senior officials and ministers from economies like the United States, Japan, and People's Republic of China convened at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. The core APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting was held at the Sydney Opera House on 8–9 September. Key bilateral meetings on the sidelines included discussions between John Howard and George W. Bush regarding the Iraq War, and between Hu Jintao and Stephen Harper on trade. The formal agenda prioritized advancing the Bogor Goals, Doha Development Round negotiations, and forging a consensus on climate change ahead of the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Outcomes and agreements

The primary outcome was the adoption of the Sydney APEC Leaders' Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development. This non-binding agreement marked the first time all APEC members, including the United States and China, agreed on a shared approach involving aspirational goals for reducing energy intensity. Other key documents included the **APEC Leaders' Declaration on Strengthening Our Community, Building a Sustainable Future** and a standalone statement on the World Trade Organization Doha negotiations. Member economies also endorsed the **APEC Regional Economic Integration** agenda and several initiatives to combat avian influenza, as outlined by the APEC Health Task Force.

Legacy and impact

The summit is widely noted for producing APEC's first dedicated leaders' statement on climate change, influencing subsequent international forums like the Bali Climate Conference. The event significantly raised the profile of John Howard and the Liberal Party of Australia domestically, though it occurred during the final months before the 2007 Australian federal election. The enormous security costs and operational model were studied by future host nations, including Peru for APEC Peru 2008. Critically, the summit underscored APEC's evolution from a purely economic forum to one addressing broader transnational issues, setting a precedent for future meetings in Singapore and Japan.

Category:APEC summits Category:2007 in Australia Category:2007 in international relations Category:September 2007 events in Australia