WORLD TRADE: APEC leaders stressed their support to free up global trade and said reviving the stalled Doha round of World Trade Organisation (WTO) talk slaunched in the Qatari capital in 2001 remained a "top priority".

They said they would "spare no effort to break the current deadlock in the Doha round of the talks and achieve an ambitious and balanced outcome."

REGIONAL TRADE: They also vowed to study ways "to promote regional economic integration, including a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific as a long-term prospect." They acknowledged "practical difficulties" with creating such a free trade zone, stretching from China to Chile, but said their officials would report back on the idea at next year's summit in Australia.

TERRORISM: Member economies said they were determined to combat terrorism and praised progress in efforts to dismantle "trans-boundary terrorist groups" and to eliminate the danger posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. They emphasised that securing food supply chains against terrorist attacks was a priority for 2007.

HEALTH: They endorsed a 2006 APEC action plan to prevent, or respond to, avian influenza pandemics and affirmed their commitment to implementing it. Leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation on fighting HIV/AIDS and ensure the protection of the rights of those living with the disease.

NATURAL DISASTERS: On the threat of natural disasters, the joint statement urged member economies "to further intensify cooperation, including with the private sector, to maximise regional available resources to prepare for disaster and post-disaster rehabilitation and construction."

BUSINESS: Members stressed the importance of intellectual copyright protection and to step up efforts against piracy and counterfeiting and ensure that governments and their agencies do not use illegal software. They also vowed to fight corruption which they identified as "one of the greatest obstacles to economic and social development."

Agence France-Presse