President Obama flew from Japan to Singapore, arriving in time for dinner at the summit meeting of APEC, an organization of Pacific Rim countries who meet annually to enhance economic cooperation and to strengthen the Asia-Pacific community. Founded in 1989, the organization is unique in that it is the only one in the world that is based on completely voluntary participation and commitment.

In addition to the economy and climate change, the President is also expected to meet with the Prime Minister of Myanmar during the ASEAN 10 meeting and set a new course to attempt to move the country towards democracy. He said his decision was based on the failure of sanctions to effect change in the country, although they must take steps to “unconditionally release” all political prisoners, including democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi. The country formerly known as Burma has been under military dictatorship since 1962.

The President will also meet with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee. He’ll join the leaders’ retreat, which is a two-hour discussion largely devoted to balanced and sustainable growth. Then in the afternoon, he’ll see the Indonesian President, the Russian President, and the ASEAN 10 — the first time that a U.S. President has met with the ASEAN 10.

United States Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, delivered remarks to the APEC CEO Summit and said that the economic benefits of APEC extend throughout the region, including the US, with 61 percent of American manufacturing exports adestined for APEC countries, supporting 3.7 million American jobs.

After his time in Singapore, the President will visit China.

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