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If you lose the graphic organizer for this centre, it can be found here

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North American Free Trade Agreement | NAFTANow.org

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In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, creating one of the world's largest free trade zones and laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Since then, NAFTA has demonstrated how free trade increases wealth and competitiveness, delivering real benefits to families, farmers, workers, manufacturers, and consumers.

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The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, established in 1989, has become the pre-eminent economic forum in the Asia-Pacific region. Its primary purpose is to promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Every year, one of APEC's 21 member economies serves as the forum host. Papua New Guinea is APEC host in 2018.

APEC aims to strengthen regional economic integration by removing impediments to trade and investment "at the border", enhancing supply chain connectivity "across the border" and improving the business environment "behind the border." The goal is to improve the operating environment for business by cutting red tape and other barriers. APEC also helps member economies build the institutional capacity to implement and take advantage of the benefits of trade and investment reform APEC supports the multilateral trade negotiations underway in the World Trade Organization and complements the goals of the G20.

APEC operates on the basis of non-binding commitments and open dialogue. Decisions made within APEC are reached by consensus, and commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis. The APEC Secretariat is based in Singapore and provides coordination, technical and advisory support as well as information management, communications, and public outreach services.

Canada in APEC

As a founding member, APEC provides Canada with an opportunity to further strengthen trade and economic ties with some of the Asia-Pacific region's most dynamic economies. APEC also serves as a platform to share best practices with key partners on trade, economic integration and structural reform. The 21 member economies account for more than 60 percent of global GDP with 39 percent of the world's population. In 2016, APEC partners accounted for more than 84 percent of Canada's total merchandise trade. Foreign direct investment from APEC economies in Canada was $468 billion in 2016. Four of Canada's top five trading partners are APEC members (U.S., China, Mexico and Japan).

More than 20 Government of Canada partner departments are engaged in APEC's broad agenda ranging from customs procedures and regulatory reform to women's economic empowerment, mental health and health industry ethics. In this regard, APEC serves a valuable role as an incubator of ideas and provides Canada with an opportunity to shape the Asia-Pacific region's trade priorities. Global Affairs Canada coordinates Canada's engagement at APEC.

Private Sector Engagement

Private-sector engagement is central to APEC's success. The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) represents the interests of business in APEC. ABAC is composed of up to three members from each of the 21 member economies, with business representatives appointed by APEC leaders. Collectively, they prepare an annual report with recommendations on how to improve the business and investment environment within the Asia-Pacific region. Canada's representation on the ABAC helps advance Canadian business interests in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada acts as ABAC's Secretariat in Canada.

The annual APEC CEO Summit and regular APEC industry dialogues also provide opportunities for regional business leaders to interact with APEC leaders, global and regional institutions, and business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific for discussions on key issues facing the region.

APEC Working for Canadians

APEC is an intergovernmental forum dedicated to promoting free trade and investment, economic growth and development, and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. It operates on the basis of non-binding commitments and open dialogue.

Founded in 1989, APEC responds to growing interdependence among economies in the region. Its work has since expanded to address other key issues such as security, health, energy and agriculture.

Why is APEC important to Canada?

The APEC region encompasses countries critical to Canada's future economic prosperity and security interests. It remains the only trans-Pacific regional organization that hosts a leaders-level meeting at which Canada is present.

APEC brings together leaders, ministers, senior officials and business representatives, who meet regularly to drive the APEC agenda forward and implement policies and projects across a wide range of issues, from trade and investment facilitation to economic cooperation to counter-terrorism.

The breadth of APEC's agenda allows for a cross-disciplinary approach to issues, for example, "secure trade" (the economic impact of disruptions in the movement of people and goods).

APEC allows Canada to further engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions and negotiations in one of the world's largest economic zones, where many of our key trade partners are also members.

Canada's role in APEC

To ensure that Canadian interests are taken into account within the APEC decision-making process, various Government of Canada departments are active in over 30 APEC working groups and committees.

APEC's activities have also expanded to include discussion of pressing security issues that involve political threats to economic prosperity and growth in the region. Through APEC, Canada will continue to engage key Asia-Pacific partners in countering terrorism, enhancing health, security and infectious disease strategies, and forming global approaches to international energy issues.

History and Membership of APEC

APEC was established in response to the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies and to the need to advance Asia-Pacific economic dynamism and sense of community.

APEC began in 1989, when Australia hosted the first annual meeting of Foreign and Trade Ministers from 12 Asia-Pacific economies to discuss ways to increase cooperation in this fast-expanding region of the world. Canada was a founding member of the APEC forum, along with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

In 1993, the United States held the first annual meeting of APEC Leaders to give trade liberalization and economic cooperation further impetus and high level commitment, to develop a spirit of community in the region and to promote sustainable growth and equitable development.

Between 1989 and 1993, APEC accepted six new members. In November 1991, three members were welcomed into the organization: the People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; and Chinese Taipei. In November 1993, APEC accepted Mexico and Papua New Guinea while deciding that Chile would become a full member in November 1994. Peru, Russia and Vietnam were the latest economies to join the organization in November 1998.

APEC now comprises 21 member economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.

There are three official observers: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), and the Pacific Island Forum (PIF).

APEC Declarations and Statements

2017

2016

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Canada and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

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The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, established in 1989, has become the pre-eminent economic forum in the Asia-Pacific region. Its primary purpose is to promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Every year, one of APEC's 21 member economies serves as the forum host.

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Explore Canada's role in international organizations, trade negotiations and sanctions.

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The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington on April 4, 1949 establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This political and military alliance is designed to promote the stability of the North Atlantic area and to safeguard the freedom of its peoples, based on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. Canada has been a member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization since its inception.

Canada in NATO

Canada has been a member of NATO since it was founded in 1949. NATO is a major contributor to international peace and security and a cornerstone of Canadian security and defence policy. The Alliance is the embodiment of the transatlantic link that binds North American and European security together.

Canada's priority for NATO is to ensure that the Alliance remains modern, flexible and agile and thus able to face the threats of today and those arising in the future. This goal drives all of Canada's efforts on NATO transformation, reform and partnerships with non-NATO countries.

The Canadian Armed Forces are among the most engaged, agile, deployable and responsive armed forces within NATO, and Canada is proud to have contributed to every NATO operation since the founding of the Alliance more than six decades ago. Canada's participation in NATO operations around the world is a tangible signal of our commitment to the trans-Atlantic Alliance.

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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

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The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington on April 4, 1949 establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This political and military alliance is designed to promote the stability of the North Atlantic area and to safeguard the freedom of its peoples, based on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.

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The United Nations officially came into being on October 24, 1945. By that date a majority of the 50 countries that had signed the UN Charter in San Francisco on June 26, 1945, had ratified it in their national parliaments. The UN replaced the League of Nations, which had been created by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Canada, a participant at the San Francisco Conference (April 25 to June 26, 1945), is one of the founding members of the United Nations.

The actions of the UN are guided by its Charter, which defines the United Nations' purposes as follows:

to maintain international peace and security;

to develop friendly relations among nations; and

to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights.

The actions of the United Nations are based on certain principles:

all of its members are equal;

all members must fulfil their Charter obligations;

international disputes are to be settled by peaceful means;

members may not use force or the threat of force against other members;

members must help the United Nations in any action it might take in accordance with the Charter;

the United Nations may not interfere in the domestic affairs of any state.

Currently, there are 193 member states. For a complete list of member states, along with the year each was admitted to the UN, please visit the United Nations Member States page.

Although UN Member States do not legislate in the manner of a national parliament, through their actions and their votes, they help set international policy.

The United Nations has six main bodies established by the Charter: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.

All act in concert with dozens of related specialized agencies, funds and programmes in order to develop increasingly co-ordinated but diversified actions in the spheres of peace and security, humanitarian assistance, human rights, and economic and social development.

The United Nations System of Organizations is made up of the United Nations Secretariat, the United Nations Programmes and Funds - such as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) - and the Specialized Agencies - such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Programmes, Funds and Agencies have their own governing bodies and budgets, and set their own standards and guidelines. Together, they provide technical assistance and other forms of practical help in virtually all areas of economic and social endeavour.

Canada's Diplomatic Missions to the United Nations

Canada has seven diplomatic missions accredited to the UN:

The Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York
Responsible for overall relations with the United Nations and delegations of member countries, including the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, UNDP, UNICEF, and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

The Permanent Mission of Canada to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva
Responsible for relations with all UN offices in Geneva and delegations of member countries, including entities such as the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, the High Commissioner for Refugees, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, or forums such as the Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament.

The Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO in Paris
Responsible for Canada's relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The Permanent Mission of Canada to International Organisations in Vienna
Responsible for relations with the UN offices in Vienna, including the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Permanent Mission of Canada to the Office of the United Nations in Nairobi
Responsible for relations to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT) and to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Permanent Mission of Canada to the FAO in Rome
Responsible for relations with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

The Permanent Mission of Canada to the ICAO in Montreal
Responsible for relations with the International Civil Aviation Organization

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The United Nations officially came into being on October 24, 1945. By that date a majority of the 50 countries that had signed the UN Charter in San Francisco on June 26, 1945, had ratified it in their national parliaments. The UN replaced the League of Nations, which had been created by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

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The Commonwealth Secretariat provides guidance on policy making, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries. It supports governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.