Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries or regions to discuss the regional economy, cooperation, trade and investment. The membership is claimed to account for approximately 41% of the world’s population, approximately 56% of world GDP and about 49% of world trade. The activities, including year - round meetings of the members’ ministers, (1) ______.
The organization conducts the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM), an annual summit attended by the heads of government of all APEC members except Taiwan under the name Chinese Taipei, (2) ______. The location of the summit rotates annually among the member economies, and a famous tradition involves the attending leaders dressing in a national costume of the host member.
The first APEC Economic Leaders Meeting occurred in 1993 when US president Bill Clinton, after discussion with Australian prime minister Paul Keating, invited the heads of government from member economies to a summit on Blake Island. (3) ______. At the summit, some leaders called for continued reduction of barriers to trade and investment, envisioning a community in the Asia - Pacific region that might promote prosperity through cooperation. The APEC Secretariat, based in Singapore, (4) ______.
At the 1994 Bogor Summit, APEC formally adopted the Bogor Goals, a strategic initiative aimed at reducing trade tariffs to below five percent across the Asia-Pacific region. These goals set specific deadlines: 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing ones, reflecting APEC’s commitment to fostering economic integration and free trade. The following year, in 1995, APEC took another significant step by establishing the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). (5) ______. By facilitating direct dialogue between business leaders and government officials, ABAC helps bridge the gap between the private sector and policymakers, ensuring that economic strategies align with real-world business needs.

Tropical cyclones (1) ______, even in the earliest stages of their development. Their life cycles can run their course in as little as 24 hours, others can last as long as a month. Tropical cyclones can often include multiple hazards, such as extreme winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge and flooding, lightning and tornadoes. (2) ______.

(3) ______. Over the past 50 years, 1,945 disasters have been attributed to tropical cyclones, which killed 779,324 people and caused US$ 1.4 trillion in economic losses – an average of 43 deaths and US$ 78 million in damages daily. Tropical cyclones represented 17% of weather-, climate- and water related disasters and were responsible for one third of both deaths (38%) and economic losses (38%) over the 50-year period. In the longer term, such as with 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and Tropical Cyclone Harold in 2020, the impact can persist for many years, with communities still trying to recover from the destruction and displacement that occurred. Climate change is linked not only to an increased likelihood of major hurricanes, (4) ______. Socioeconomic impacts related to tropical cyclones are increasing worldwide (5) ______. The increase in the destructive power of a tropical cyclone emphasises the importance of ensuring all people and property are protected by early warning systems.

Wildlife conservation has become an alarming global problem in recent years, (1) ______. Conservation efforts are focused on preserving biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and maintaining ecosystems that support both wildlife and human populations.
One of the primary strategies for wildlife conservation is the establishment of protected areas, such as national parks, wildlife reserves, and marine sanctuaries. (2) ______. For example, Yellowstone National Park in the United States and the Serengeti in Tanzania are well-known protected areas (3) ______. Similarly, marine sanctuaries like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia aim to preserve marine biodiversity.
(4) ______. Deforestation, pollution, and urbanization have led to the destruction of vital ecosystems. Conservationists are working to replant forests, clean up polluted rivers, and restore wetlands to create environments where wildlife can thrive. In Costa Rica, for instance, reforestation projects have not only helped to increase forest cover but have also provided new habitats for species such as jaguars, monkeys, and tropical birds.
(5) ______, the fight against illegal wildlife trade is essential. Poaching and the illegal sale of wildlife products, such as ivory and rhino horn, have driven some species to the brink of extinction. International agreements, like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), aim to curb this practice by regulating the global trade of wildlife and their products. Additionally, many countries have established strict laws and penalties to deter poaching and trafficking.