Chile's President Sebastian Pinera (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The meeting is part of a year-long series of meetings leading up to next year's APEC forum to be hosted by Chile.

President Pinera said it’s time for APEC to become what it was meant to be: the largest, most innovative, most inclusive and most prosperous free trade initiative on record.

The agenda for 2019, which marks the 30th anniversary of APEC's founding, will focus on the digital economy, promoting small and medium-sized enterprises, the role of women in economic growth, and sustainable development to combat climate change.

Some 20,000 delegates are expected to attend the November 2019 gathering, according to Chile's Foreign Affairs Ministry.