雖然以 APEC 為基礎的亞太安全合作體制近年來被視為不切實際，但是以 APEC 為安全合作基礎的理想與理論卻從未間斷。經濟合作與區域安全之間關係的理論與說法莫衷 一是，實際上的例證也非單一的觀點可以解釋清礎。從互賴論、共識論、工具論及典範論等 來分析 APEC 會議對區域安全的影響，皆有其理論上的依據與實際上的矛盾。

　　　　　In general, politicians and scholars alike are very pessimistic about the possibility of using APEC as a framework for anything other than economic purposes. However, a few scholars believe that APEC has played a significant role in enhancing regional security and stability. Many believe that a great sense of regional cooperation and understanding has been created through APEC's regularized style of regional diplomacy. Others also argue that APEC has helped to create a more confident region and has, on an informal basis, provided a model for the development of other security cooperation institutes in the region. This paper examines many potential links between APEC and different security issues, including the possibility of using APEC as basis for a security framework. The central contention is that the relationship between APEC and regional security is complex, with no single theory that explains this relationship. However, APEC remains a hope for long-term security cooperation in the region. Its future contribution depends on its capacity to overcome the regional financial crisis.