Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to leave the Russian city of Vladivostok and will miss the Asian-Pacific summit because of the death of her father.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Saturday that Gillard will leave the country and go back to Australia. The country's Trade Minister Craig Emerson, who was already present at the location, will now represent Australia at the summit.

"At the beginning I would like to express my condolences to the Australian prime minister. Her father has passed away. This is why Australia will be represented by the trade minister," Putin said.

Meanwhile, leaders attending the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Vladivostok on Saturday held discussions on regional development amid a global economic slowdown. The summer, under the theme, of "Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper", will focus on investment liberalization and regional economic integration, food security, supply chains and cooperation aimed at boosting growth in the region.

The APEC group consists of 21 countries on four continents and accounts for about 40 per cent of the world's population. The group also accounts for 57 per cent of world GDP and about 48 per cent of global trade.