SYDNEY -- Trade and foreign ministers and representatives from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies wrapped up their two-day meeting Thursday, announcing plans for greater trade and economic reform and enhanced human security in the region.

The ministers, under the theme of "Strengthening our community, building a sustainable future," reviewed developments in the region and challenges facing the region's future.

Issues of the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, trade and economic reform, energy security and clean development, human security, climate change and APEC reform topped their agenda.

A joint statement released after the meeting said the ministers agreed to continue the support for WTO Doha Round, and recommended that the leaders adopt a stand-alone statement on the WTO negotiations.

For APEC's economic development, they stressed the need to work actively to create greater prosperity in the region through a commitment to trade and economic reform, stepping up the process of realizing the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment within the region.

The statement said the ministers submitted to the APEC economic leaders a comprehensive report on strengthening regional economic integration, including on a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific as a long-term prospect.

The ministers held that high-quality and comprehensive regional trade agreements (RTA) and free trade agreements (FTA) can advance economic openness in the region and strengthen regional economic integration.

On the climate change and energy security, they said they are of vital interest to APEC economies. They agreed to address the challenges of rapidly growing energy demand while minimizing environmental effects.

Key initiatives including developing fossil energy technologies, establishing energy trade and investment study bodies, formulating action plans for improving energy efficiency and encouraging efforts towards a diversified mix of energy sources.

Human security was another major concern. They said natural disasters, terrorist activities and pandemic diseases, such as bird flu, have the potential to undermine the efforts for economic development and better life.

They recognized that strengthening emergency preparedness is an abiding priority for APEC to ensure a timely and effective response to natural disasters.

They called for information sharing, food supply protection, trade security and better communication in joint efforts to fight against terrorism.  

On the health issue, the ministers reaffirmed their support for full implementation by member economies of the International Health Regulations to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease.

Meanwhile, the ministers agreed to establish an APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum, co-chaired by China and Australia, to help harmonize food safety regulations with international standards.

On the APEC reform, measures include the increase by 30 percent the membership contributions from 2009, the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer in 2007, and considering the appointment of a fixed-term Executive Director to enhance APEC's institutional work.

The ministerial meeting was convened in preparation for the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting scheduled here on September 8-9, and the ministers will submit their recommendations and outcomes of meeting to the leaders for approval.

Founded in 1989, APEC is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

It represents the most economically dynamic region in the world, with its 21 member economies spanning four continents and accounting for approximately 40 percent of the world's population, 56 percent of world's GDP and 48 percent of world trade.