U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday evening hosted leaders from economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in a welcome dinner.

The leaders are in Honolulu for their annual APEC economic leaders' meeting.

In remarks at the start of the dinner, Obama said citizens of the 21 APEC economies have "sent us here with a common task: to bring our economies closer together, to cooperate, to create jobs and prosperity that our people deserve, so they can provide for their families, so they can give their children a better future."

Leaders and representatives of APEC economies are to start their consultations on Sunday, focusing on pushing forward the Doha Round trade negotiations, next generation trade and investment issues, battling trade protectionism, promoting green growth, and regulatory cooperation.

According to organizers, leaders and representatives will begin Sunday with an APEC working session in the morning. Later in the morning, they will participate in a dialogue with APEC Business Advisory Council members and a working lunch. In the afternoon, leaders and representatives will participate in the second APEC working session.

The traditional APEC leaders family photo will take place before the second working session in the afternoon. Obama will conduct a press conference after the conclusion of the meetings in the afternoon.

The APEC Leaders Week began here Tuesday, and will last through Sunday.