John Howard lists his primary APEC aims as: trade and economic co-operation; regional security; the elevation of key bilateral relationships, especially with Russia; and forging an international agreement — a Sydney declaration — for tackling climate change.

And how is this critical forum playing in the local consciousness? Well for the past week there have been 1000 broadcast media mentions combining the notion of APEC and climate change. There have been 250 for trade. And 250 concerning that other critical APEC outcome: what sort of dizzy national dress the delegates will wear for their final photo-op next Sunday. Yet again, style goes toe to toe with substance … for a fair percentage of the population, APEC represents little more than an excuse for dressups. 

(That said, we favor some sort of farting dog Mambo design.)