(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-08 11:45

Leaders of the member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) began a dialogue with business leaders from the region prior to their informal annual meeting on Saturday.

Representatives from the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) are expected to present their recommendations to the leaders on strategies to ensure a sustainable growth in the APEC region.

After the closed-door brief dialogue, the leaders will start their two-day meeting at which they are expected to approve a statement on the World Trade Organization's Doha Round negotiations, calling for further conventions to have an early successful conclusion of the talks.

They are also expected to announce a Sydney declaration on climate change, energy security and clean development, committing to limit greenhouse gas emissions in their economic development.

On Monday, the ABAC started a week-long meeting to finalize their annual report for APEC leaders.

Energy security, climate change, World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and investment are expected to be among the major subjects in the report.

The council said earlier that it will suggest the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders set transparent and consistent policy frameworks to give business the certainty necessary to encourage investment in low emissions and energy efficient technology.

ABAC, comprises up to three business representatives from each APEC economy and meet three times a year, engages with APEC leaders through the ABAC Dialogue with Leaders, held in conjunction with the annual APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.