Ministers agree to set up a secretariat in Singapore, which opens in February 1993. Newly elected President Bill Clinton convenes the first informal summit of APEC leaders following the ministerial meeting in Seattle. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad begs off, complaining that the U.S. and Australia are using APEC only to pry open Asian markets. Mexico and Papua New Guinea join. Leaders launch the Bogor Declaration, which sets the ambitious goal of free and open trade and investment for developed member economies by 2010 and 2020 for developing ones.
Chile becomes a member.
Forced to deal with a domestic political problem, Clinton sends Vice President Al Gore. The APEC Business Advisory Council, a business-sector panel, is established to advise leaders. Leaders adopt the Manila Action Plan, a compilation of individual action plans from each member, outlining a blueprint for achieving the Bogor liberalization target. Leaders agree to move on 15 sectors. The U.S. and Japan wrangle over agricultural and timber products.