MOSCOW, November 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's president urged the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to play a stronger role in ensuring global security and overcoming the financial crisis.

The 21-member grouping of Pacific Rim economies, which includes Russia, the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and Australia, will meet for a summit in Lima, Peru on Saturday.

"I am convinced that APEC can and must play an increasing role in the search for means of securing stability and prosperity for our shared region," Dmitry Medvedev said in an article published in Latin American media in the run-up to the summit.   (Full text)

"It is the APEC countries, in particular, that will have to largely assume the task of unraveling the world economic crisis. Today, the role of the emerging economies is growing as never before."

APEC member states account for 60% of the world's economy and around half of global trade.

Medvedev also pledged Russia's contribution to regional energy security.

"As one of the largest oil and gas suppliers in the world, Russia will promote the creation of such a system of energy supply in the Asia-Pacific region that would let consumers diversify the geography of imports, as well as ensure reliable and uninterrupted supplies," he said.

"We are clearly interested in maintaining stable and predictable hydrocarbon prices based on the real ratio of demand to supply. We stand ready to take part in joint energy-saving projects, and the development of alternative energy sources."