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THE OSAKA ACTION AGENDA Implementation of the Bogor Declaration
PART ONE: LIBERALIZATION AND FACILITATION1
SECTION A: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The following General Principles will be applied to the entire APEC liberalization and facilitation process under the Action Agenda to achieve the long-term goal of free and open trade and investment no later than the year 2010 in the case of industrialized economies and the year 2020
in the case of developing economies.
1. COMPREHENSIVENESS
The APEC liberalization and facilitation process will be comprehensive, addressing all impediments to achieving the long-term goal of free and open trade and investment.
2. WTO-CONSISTENCY
The liberalization and facilitation measures undertaken in the context of the APEC Action
Agenda will be WTO-consistent.
3. COMPARABILITY
APEC economies will endeavor to ensure the overall comparability of their trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, taking into account the general level of liberalization and facilitation already achieved by each APEC economy.
4. NON-DISCRIMINATION
APEC economies will apply or endeavor to apply the principle of non-discrimination between and among them in the process of liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.
The outcome of trade and investment liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region will be the actual reduction of barriers not only among APEC economies but also between APEC economies and non-APEC economies.
5. TRANSPARENCY
Each APEC economy will ensure transparency of its respective laws, regulations and administrative procedures which affect the flow of goods, services and capital among APEC economies in order to create and maintain an open and predictable trade and investment environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
Each APEC economy will endeavor to refrain from using measures which would have the effect of increasing levels of protection, thereby ensuring a steady and progressive trade and investment liberalization and facilitation process.
7. SIMULTANEOUS START, CONTINUOUS PROCESS AND DIFFERENTIATED TIMETABLES
APEC economies will begin simultaneously and without delay the process of liberalization, facilitation and cooperation with each member economy contributing continuously and significantly to ac hieve the long-term goal of free and open trade and investment.
1 Liberalization and facilitation are treated together in this part due to their inseparable nature in achieving our goal of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific. The economic and technical cooperation dealt with here is that which directly supports liberalization and facilitation.
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8. FLEXIBILITY
Considering the different levels of economic development among the APEC economies and the diverse circumstances in each economy, flexibility will be available in dealing with issues arising from such circumstances in the liberalization and facilitation process.
9. COOPERATION
Economic and technical cooperation contributing to liberalization and facilitation will be actively pursued.
10. RELEVANCE, PROGRESSIVENESS AND EFFECTIVENESS
APEC needs to deliver real benefits to economies and people, demonstrate leadership in confronting emerging issues, which impact on sustainable economic growth and development and bring about measurable progress and change.
The APEC process of liberalization and facilitation toward achieving the goals set out in the Bogor
Declaration will comprise:
acknowledging that APEC economies that are ready to initiate and implement cooperative arrangements may proceed to do so while those that are not yet ready to participate may join at a later date. This process will be conducted in accordance with the General Principles, addressing the areas listed in Section C.
ACTION PROCESS Preparation
Action Plans were introduced immediately after the Osaka Economic Leaders ’ Meeting. Overall implementation of Action Plans began from January 1997. The Action Plans elaborate steps toward achieving the objectives set out in Section C, including both concerted unilateral actions to be taken in line with issue-specific guidelines and collective actions. They will contain specific and concrete details, with time frames, for the near to medium-term, while outlining the basic direction toward 2010 in the case of industrialized economies and 2020 in the case of developing economies.
Consultation
APEC economies commenced informal consultations on the development of Action Plans immediately after the Osaka Economic Leaders' Meeting. They agreed that the consultation process will be an on-going collective effort of a confidence-building nature in order to facilitate exchange of information on progress in the preparation of Action Plans, ensuring transparency and contributing toward attaining the comparability of respective Action Plans. This process will contribute to the consequent development of significant and substantial Action Plans.
Submission
Each APEC economy will submit its Action Plan to the Annual Ministerial Meeting for assessment.
Review
Reviews will be conducted to assess progress in implementing Action Plans in accordance with principles, objectives and guidelines of the Action Agenda. Each relevant APEC forum will conduct a review in its respective area and submit a report thereon to the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM). The SOM will then review the overall progress of APEC economies' actions and submit a report to the annual Ministerial Meeting for review. The outcome of these reviews
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will be fed back into the continuing consultation process to contribute to further development
of Action Plans and will be reflected in the activities of APEC fora.
Revision
As Action Plans are of a rolling nature, revision of these will be conducted through a progressive and dynamic mechanism established by the consultation process and reviews, with the results thereof being reflected in the continuing voluntary improvement of Action Plans. Action Plans will also be revised as appropriate in accordance with the expansion and improvement of guidelines and collective actions.
Parallel activities
APEC fora will make proposals for the expansion and improvement of guidelines and collective actions in their respective areas in accordance with developments in the APEC liberalization and facilitation process, taking into account and, where appropriate, utilizing developments in other international fora, particularly the World Trade Organization (WTO). The inclusion of additional areas to those initially defined in Section C may be considered. Proposals on the above will be submitted to the Ministerial Meeting.
APEC fora, including the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI), the Economic Committee
(EC) and Working Groups, will begin the work outlined in Section C immediately, cooperating with each other to enhance the efficiency of APEC activities. The establishment of additional sub-groups may be considered where necessary. In the above process, duplication of work among APEC fora should be avoided.
Each APEC forum will submit an annual progress report to the SOM. The SOM will review this progress and submit a report to the annual Ministerial Meeting for review. Work by other relevant APEC Ministerial Meetings should be duly recognized.
MULTILATERAL ACTIONS
APEC economies will take the lead in strengthening the open multilateral trading system and enhancing global liberalization momentum by participating actively and positively in multilateral negotiations and exploring the possibility of taking joint initiatives under the WTO. APEC economies will take fully into account the outcome of such multilateral activities.
OVERALL REVIEW
The Action Agenda may be revised and improved as necessary based on the overall progress
of liberalization, facilitation and cooperation in APEC, taking into account developments in other international fora, particularly the WTO.
SECTION C: ACTIONS IN SPECIFIC AREAS
APEC economies will take the following actions in specific areas in order to achieve the objectives set out therein in accordance with the General Principles. In the course of the liberalization and facilitation process, economic and technical cooperation will be actively pursued through various means including Partners for Progress (PFP).
1. TARIFFS2
OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will achieve free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific region by:
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
2 ”Tariffs” here refers to import/export tariffs as well as tariff quotas.
3
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
Database and any other APEC databases;
Agreement, including the adoption of ITA provisions by non-members of the WTO.
2. NON-TARIFF MEASURES3
OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will achieve free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific region by:
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
3 These non-tariff measures include but are not restricted to quantitative import/export restrictions/prohibitions, import/export levies, minimum import prices, discretionary import/export licensing, voluntary export restraints and export subsidies.
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COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
3. SERVICES OBJECTIVE
APEC economies, in accordance with the APEC Policy Framework for Work on
Services, will achieve free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region by:
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will take the following Collective Actions with regard to services in the telecommunications, transportation, energy and tourism sectors 4, and continue to seek Collective Actions in other sectors.
4 The following Collective Actions have been extracted from the annexed Action Programs of Working Groups in which substanti al progress has already been made in services, in order to illustrate liberalization and facilitation related activities to be undertaken in these sectors. Activities in these sectors are also dealt with in Part Two.
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
In accordance with the Cancun Declaration, APEC economies will:
Conformity Assessment for Telecommunications Equipment (MRA);
e-commerce;
In addition, APEC economies are encouraged to conform, where appropriate, to:
TRANSPORTATION
APEC economies will:
of this project may fall under Part II Ecotech, subject to further developments);
d. seek to eliminate the requirement for paper documents (both regulatory and institutional) for the key messages relevant to international transport and trade as soon as practicable by 2005.
ENERGY
APEC Economies, by developing and building on the 14 non-binding policy principles endorsed by APEC Energy Ministers at their Sydney meeting in 1996 which are consistent with the vision, objectives and strategic themes of the recently endorsed Future Directions Strategic Plan that will guide their work over the next five years:
(i) responding to the outcomes of a current study on "Strengthening the Operational Aspects of APEC Energy Micro -Economic Reform" that will, inter-alia, inform on barriers to investment in the energy sector and how to remove the barriers.
(ii) analysing the broad economic impacts of micro-economic reform policies to deregulate energy markets.
(iii) responding as appropriate to the identification of the barriers (policy, technical, regulatory and legal) to the interconnection of power grids in APEC member economies.
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(iv) actively pursuing the Implementation Strategy and considering the use of Implementation Facilitation Assistance Teams (IFAT) to assist in further reform of the energy markets.
(v) strengthening policy dialogue among member economies on important issues affecting energy markets.
(vi) supporting the APEC 21st Century Renewable Energy Development Initiative which seeks to advance the use of renewable energy for sustainable economic development and growth in member economies.
(vii) encouraging in the longer term a greater strategic input from business through the Energy Working Group Business Network (EBN).
TOURISM
APEC economies will:
a. Remove impediments to tourism business and investment by:
(i) promoting and facilitating the mobility of skills, training and labor;
(ii) promoting and facilitating productive investment in tourism and associated sectors;
(iii) removing regulatory impediments to tourism business and investment;
and
(iv) encouraging liberalization of services trade related to tourism under
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
b. Increase mobility of visitors and demand for tourism goods and services in the
APEC region by:
(i) facilitating seamless travel for visitors;
(ii) enhancing visitor experiences;
(iii) promoting inter- and intra-regional marketing opportunities and cooperation;
(iv) facilitating and promoting e-commerce for tourism business;
(v) enhancing safety and security of visitors; and
(vi) fostering a non-discriminatory approach to the provision of visitor facilities and services.
c. Sustainably manage tourism outcomes and impacts by:
(i) demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of natural environment and seek to protect the environment
(ii) foster ecologically sustainable development opportunities across the tourism sector, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises, employment and providing for open and sustainable tourism markets
(iii) protect the social integrity of host communities with particular attention to the implications of gender in the management and development of tourism
(iv) recognize, respect and preserve local and indigenous cultures together with our natural and national cultural heritage
(v) enhance capability building in the management and development of tourism.
d. Enhance recognition and understanding of tourism as a vehicle for economic and social development by:
(i) Harmonizing methodologies for key tourism statistical collections, consistent with activities of other international tourism organizations
(ii) facilitating the exchange of information on tourism between economies
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(iii) promoting comprehensive analysis of the role of tourism in member economies in promoting sustainable growth
(iv) expanding our collective knowledge base on tourism issues in order to identify emerging issues and assist in the implementation of the Seoul Declaration on an APEC Tourism Charter.
4. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will achieve free and open investment in the Asia-Pacific region by:
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
b. seek to expand APEC’s network of bilateral and regional investment agreements and contribute to multilateral work on investment;
of investment opportunities, enhancing market access conducive to investment, undertaking capacity building and technical cooperation activities, and implementing measures such as those in the Menu of Options; and
d. examine ways to incorporate new investment forms and activities for the sound and sustainable economic growth and development of the Asia-Pacific region including investment forms and activities that support the new economy.
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
Short-term
(i) Updating the APEC Guidebook on Investment Regimes;
(ii) Establishing software networks on investment regulation and investment opportunities;
(iii) Improving the state of statistical reporting and data collection; and
(iv) Increasing understanding among member economies on investment policy-making issues.
Short-term
APEC investment environment.
Short-term
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Medium-term
Long-term
Short-term and continuing
(i) Progressively working towards reducing impediments to investments including those investments related to e-commerce;
(ii) Undertaking the business facilitation measures to strengthen APEC
economies; and
(iii) Initiating investment promotion and facilitation activities to enhance investment flow within APEC economies.
Short-term
5. STANDARDS5 AND CONFORMANCE OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will, in accordance with the Declaration on APEC Standards and Conformance Framework and with the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) and the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) attached to the WTO Agreement:
economies.
5 “Standards” include mandatory as well as voluntary standards. The term “standards” is used in this document to refer generally to matters covered in the TBT and SPS Agreements.
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GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
h. consider participation in:
(i) the Treaty of the Metre (La Convention Du Metre); and
(ii) the Treaty of OIML (La Convention Instituant Une Organisation Internationale
De Metrologie Legale)
in accordance with the rules and procedures of these treaties
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will take Collective Actions with regard to standards and conformance
in the following four areas:
ALIGNMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND ACTVE PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION
APEC economies will:
6 It is recognised that not all member economies have the pre-requisite technical infrastructure to enable them to fully participate in mutual recognition arrangements. Cooperation among APEC economies to strengthen member economies’ technical infrastructure is therefore necessary (see Guideline (e)).
7 The term “mutual recognition arrangements” does not necessarily m ean an instrument or instruments which creates or create legally-binding international obligations.
8 Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF)
Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP) Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC)
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GOOD REGULATORY PRACTICE
APEC economies will:
continue to update the consolidation of materials in the Good Regulatory Practice Database as well as to investigate means of enhancing regulatory practice in the APEC region through a program of case studies and seminars with a particular focus on performance-based regulations and sector-specific good practices.
RECOGNITION OF CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
APEC economies will, in cooperation with relevant Specialist Regional Bodies, where appropriate:
APEC economies will:
Infrastructure Development Program; and
2005.
TRANSPARENCY
APEC economies will:
OTHER ACTIVITIES
APEC economies will:
Statement of Commitment to Mutually Agreed Objectives;
to Trade and Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures, as well as undertake projects for the implementation of the APEC Strategic Plan on WTO -Related Capacity Building;
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6. CUSTOMS PROCEDURES OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will facilitate trade in the Asia-Pacific region by:
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will take actions toward achieving the above objectives:
- taking fully into consideration the Guiding Principles (FACTS: Facilitation, Accountability, Consistency, Transparency, Simplification) of the above Action Program;
- recognizing APEC Principles on Trade Facilitation; and
- making use of information and communication technologies (ICT) as tools to improve productivity; and
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will take Collective Actions with regard to customs procedures in the following areas:
HARMONISATION OF TARIFF NOMENCLATURE
APEC economies will harmonize tariff nomenclature by adopting or abiding by the principles of the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS Convention) 2002 Version by 2002.
PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION
APEC economies will continue making available to the public information on administrative guidelines, procedures and rulings in addition to customs laws and regulations through the media, publication, website, etc.
SIMPLIFICATION AND HARMONIZATION ON THE BASIS OF THE REVISED KYOTO CONVENTION
APEC economies will simplify and harmonize customs procedures by adopting or abiding by the principles of the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures which was revised by World Customs Organization (WCO) in 1999 (Revised Kyoto Convention).
COMPUTERIZATION THROUGH UN/EDIFACT AND PAPERLESS TRADING
APEC economies will enhance computerization of customs procedures by adopting and supporting the UN/EDIFACT standard and endeavor to reduce or eliminate the requirement for paper documents needed for customs to realize paperless trading.
ALIGNMENT WITH WTO AGREEMENTS
APEC economies will:
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS
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Agreement), with regard to border control while encouraging further acceleration,
if possible, through technical assistance.
APPEAL PROVISION
APEC economies will introduce and improve clear appeal provisions.
ADVANCE RULING SYSTEMS
APEC economies will introduce and improve advance tariff classification ruling systems.
TEMPORARY IMPORTATION
APEC economies will provide facilities for temporary importation, by taking such action as acceding, where appropriate, to the Customs Convention on the A.T.A. Carnet for the Temporary Admission of Goods (the A.T.A. Convention).
RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH
APEC economies will introduce a risk management approach to allow customs administrations to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while maintaining high-level border control by 2002.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
APEC economies will apply information and communication technology including Internet for customs clearance, and where possible, provide one stop shop service for cargo clearance procedures.
COMMON DATA ELEMENTS
APEC economies will explore the feasibility of harmonizing among APEC economies common data elements based on international standards under the auspices of the WCO for customs processing of cargo to facilitate international trade.
EXPRESS CONSIGNMENTS
APEC economies will implement principles contained in the WCO Immediate Release Guidelines, the international standard procedures for clearance of express goods, working in partnership with express industry associations.
INTEGRITY
APEC economies will implement programs to raise the level of integrity of customs systems.
CUSTOMS-BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
APEC economies will enable the cooperation and communication between Customs and the business sector through the establishment of permanent and regular liaison/consultation channels and the development of Customs-Business partnership by signing Memoranda of understanding or other instruments of cooperative arrangement with relevant players/parties in the business sector.
COMMON FIELD SURVEYS
APEC economies will work towards conducting common field surveys on the time required for cargo clearance, recognizing the necessity of a common yardstick.
IMPLEMENTATION, TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
APEC economies will develop implementation plans and a framework for coordinated technical assistance and human resources development in support of the above Collective Actions, with particular emphasis placed on implementation of customs
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procedure-related agreements such as the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement, the
TRIPS Agreement and the Rules of Origin Agreement (ROO).
PROMOTION OF DIALOGUE WITH THE BUSINESS/PRIVATE SECTOR
APEC economies will promote dialogue with the business/private sector (importers, exporters, customs brokers, forwarders, etc.) within each economy to assist in improving customs-related trade practices.
COUNTER-TERRORISM
APEC economies will develop a proposal to promote counter-terrorism cooperation in support of the APEC Leaders’ Statement through various means such as the promotion of Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements and the use of existing customs networks.
7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will:
- ensure adequate and effective protection, including legislation, administration and enforcement of intellectual property rights,
- foster harmonization of intellectual property rights systems in the APEC region,
- strengthen public awareness ac tivities and
- promote dialogue on emerging intellectual property policy issues, with a view to further improve intellectual property rights protection and use of the intellectual property rights systems for the social and economic benefit of members.
- establishing legal frameworks to promote creative endeavor and encourage on- line activity;
- ensuring a balance between the different rights and interests of copyright owners, users and distributors;
- establishing an appropriate balance among all stakeholders, including content providers and ISPs in terms of the liabilities for infringing intellectual property on- line; and
- providing incentives for innovation without sacrificing the community’s interest in reasonable access to information.
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
to ensure adequate intellectual property right protection in compliance with the TRIPS Agreement.
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will take the following collective actions:
(i) Participation in International IP -related Systems
(ii) Establishing Internationally Harmonized IPR Systems
(iii) Cooperation on Searches and Examinations;
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(i) Electronic Filing Systems
(ii) Dissemination of Information by Electronic Means;
(i) Protection for Biotechnology and Computer-related Inventions
(ii) Protection for Geographical Indications
(iii) Electronic commerce;
(i) Establishment of Enforcement Guidelines
(ii) Exchange of Information Concerning IPR Infringement
(iii) Cooperation with other fora/authorities
8. COMPETITION POLICY OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will enhance the competitive environment to increase consumer welfare
in the Asia-Pacific region, taking into account the benefits and challenges of globalization, developments in the New Economy and the need to bridge the digital divide through better access to ICT, by:
b. promoting cooperation among APEC economies, thereby maximizing inter-alia, the efficient operation of markets, competition among producers and traders and consumer benefits.
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
b. enforce competition policies and/or laws, (including those prohibiting
anticompetitive practices that prevent access to ICT and other new technologies), to ensure protection of the competitive process and promotion of consumer welfare, innovation, economic efficiency and open markets;
c. disclose any pro-competitive efforts undertaken (e.g. enactment of competition laws, whether comprehensive or sectoral);
Economy and to ensure the efficient functioning of markets.
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
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(i) the objectives, necessity, role and operation of each APEC economy's competition policy and/or laws and administrative procedures, thereby establishing a database on competition policy;
(ii) competition policy issues that impact on trade and investment flows in the
Asia-Pacific region;
(iii) exemptions and exceptions from the coverage of each APEC economy’s competition policy and/or laws in an effort to ensure that each is no broader than necessary to achieve a legitimate and explicitly identified objective;
(iv) areas for technical assistance and the modalities thereof, including exchange and training programs for officials in charge of competition policy, taking into account the availability of resources; and
(v) the inter-relationship between competition policy and/or laws and other policies related to trade and investment;
Competition and Regulatory Reform; and
“APEC Principles to Enhance Competition and Regulatory Reform”.
9. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will:
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
and
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
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10. DEREGULATION/REGULATORY REVIEW AND REFORM OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will facilitate free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific
Region by, inter alia:
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies, taking into account work done in other areas of APEC activity will:
(i) policy dialogue on APEC economies’ experiences in regard to best practices in deregulation, including the use of individual case studies to assist in the design and implementation of deregulatory measures, and consideration of further options for a work program which may include:
identification of common priority areas and sectors for deregulation;
provision of technical assistance in designing and implementing deregulation measures; and
examination of the possibility of establishing APEC guidelines on domestic
deregulation; and
(ii) regular dialogue with the business community, including a possible symposium.
11. IMPLEMENTATION OF WTO OBLIGATIONS (inc RULES OF ORIGIN) OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will ensure full and effective implementation of Uruguay Round outcomes within the agreed time frame in a manner fully consistent with the letter and the spirit of the WTO Agreement.
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On Rules of Origin, APEC economies will:
GUIDELINES
On WTO Agreements:
Uruguay Round outcomes and deepen and broaden these.
On Rules of Origin:
Each APEC economy will:
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
(i) improve APEC economies' understanding of provisions in the WTO Agreement and obligations thereunder;
(ii) identify operational problems encountered in implementation of the WTO Agreement and areas in which APEC economies may require technical assistance; and
(iii) explore cooperative efforts to provide such technical assistance in implementation;
to be undertaken in conjunction with the WTO Secretariat and other relevant international institutions.
On Rules of Origin
APEC economies will:
12. DISPUTE MEDIATION OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will:
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to resolving their differences in a manner which will help avoid confrontation and escalation, without prejudice to rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement and other international agreements and without duplicating or detracting from WTO dispute settlement procedures;
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy will:
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
(i) promote dialogue and increased understanding, including exchange of views on any matter that may lead to a dispute, and cooperatively examine on a voluntary basis disputes that arise, utilizing policy dialogue such as the “Trade Policy Dialogue” of the CTI;
(ii) give further consideration as to how the above Trade Policy Dialogue or similar functions of other fora may be used by APEC economies for the exchange of information, enhanced dialogue and mediation; and
(iii) examine the possible future evolution of procedures for the resolution of disputes as the APEC liberalization and facilitation process develops;
(i) provide CTI with a listing of arbitration, mediation, and conciliation services available to private entities of other APEC economies, including a description of any such service which might provide a useful model for private-to-government dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region, and make such information widely available to the business/private sector in the Asia-Pacific region;
(ii) provide CTI with comments regarding experiences with the above services;
(iii) accede where appropriate to international agreements for the settlement of disputes between governments and private entities such as the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States; and
(iv) accede where appropriate to the Convention on the Recognition and
Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention);
promote transparency on an APEC-wide basis, through, for example, publication of a guide book on arbitration, mediation, and conciliation services available in each APEC economy; and
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13. MOBILITY OF BUSINESS PEOPLE OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will:
GUIDELINES
Each APEC economy work toward achieving the above objectives:
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
Exchange Information
Exchange information on regulatory regimes in regard to the mobility of business people
in the region, including through regularly updating the information in the online APEC Business Travel Handbook
Short-Term Business Entry
Streamline short -term entry requirements for business people. APEC economies will strive on a best endeavours basis and according to their own immigration procedures to implement one or more of the following options:
iii) multiple short -term entry and stay visas which are valid for at least 3 years.
Business Temporary Residency
Implement streamlined temporary residence processing arrangements for the intra-company transfer of senior managers and executives, and specialists as defined by individual economies.
Capacity Building (Technical Cooperation and Training)
Develop and implement the mutually agreed standards and benchmarks essential to capacity building and engage in the capacity building initiatives necessary to provide streamlined visa application and immigration entry, stay and departure processing arrangements.
Dialogue with Business
Continue to maintain a dialogue with the APEC Business Mobility Group and the APEC business community (including with APEC fora) on mobility issues important to the APEC region and the APEC business community.
14. INFORMATION GATHERING AND ANALYSIS (GROUNDWORK) OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will secure a solid platform for the expansion and improvement of Actions in Specific Areas and APEC economies' respective Action Plans by undertaking inter-alia cross-sectoral work.
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
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APEC economies will:
15. STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTIVE
APEC economies will enhance well-functioning economy within the global marketplace in the Asia-Pacific region by:
a. ensuring a fair, transparent and consistent application of the rule of law in the commercial and corporate domain
GUIDELINES
In accordance with the provisions of the Cooperation Framework for Strengthening
Economic Legal Infrastructure, each APEC economy will:
and
d. establish and maintain a dialogue on strengthening economic legal infrastructure with the business community
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
APEC economies will:
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PART TWO: ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION
SECTION A: ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
APEC economies will pursue economic and technical co-operation in order to attain sustainable growth and equitable development in the Asia-Pacific region, while reducing economic disparities among APEC economies and improving economic and social well being. Such efforts will also facilitate the growth of trade and investment in the region9.
APEC economies will conduct economic and technical cooperation on the basis of the principles of mutual respect and equality, mutual benefit and assistance, constructive and genuine partnership and consensus building. APEC economies shall make voluntary contributions commensurate with their capabilities and the benefits of the co-operation shall be shared broadly.
In pursuing economic and technical cooperation, APEC economies will develop an environment favorable to the effective operation of market mechanisms and integrate into the co-operation process the business/private sector as well as involve wherever possible other pertinent institutions.
Recognizing their shared responsibility for sustainable development, APEC economies will integrate environmental considerations in all relevant APEC activities.
While respecting the autonomy of each APEC economy over its policies, APEC economies recognize Common Policy Concepts, Joint Activities and Policy Dialogue as the three essential elements to be taken into account in each specific area of APEC economic and technical co- operation.
APEC economies will develop Common Policy Concepts including goals, basic principles and priorities in each specific area of APEC economic and technical cooperation. APEC economies recognize that, given the diversity of the Asia-Pacific region, Common Policy Concepts will serve to:
In the light of Common Policy concepts, APEC economies will engage in Joint Activities such as compilation and sharing of data and information, surveys, training, seminars, research and technical demonstrations. Various means including Partners for Progres s (PFP) will be utilized to strengthen these activities. APEC economies will prepare economic outlooks for the Asia-Pacific region that will provide a useful reference for APEC activities. Joint Activities will serve to:
APEC economies will hold Policy Dialogue on economic issues.
develop and review Common Policy Concepts;
9 Economic and technical cooperation which directly supports trade and investment liberalization and facilitation is mainly dealt with in Part One.
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evaluate the effect of Joint Activities;
develop further Joint Activities; and
identify the best way to implement cooperation in the light of differences in policies among APEC economies.
share expertise and experience; and
consult and exchange views on their policies/activities in the light of Common Policy
Concepts.
SECTION B: ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN SPECIFIC AREAS
Bearing in mind the three essential elements, APEC economies will pursue economic and technical cooperation. The following is an illustrative reference of Common Policy Concepts and Joint Activities/Dialogue in specific areas of cooperation. The full text of Action Programs in specific areas
is annexed and forms an integral part of this Action Agenda.
Given differences in needs and levels of development among APEC economies, strengthening Agricultural Technical Cooperation (ATC) is expected to lead to balanced agricultural development, resource utilization and conservation as well as improved food variety and quality. APEC economies will seek to enhance the capability of agriculture and its related industries to contribute to economic growth and social well-being. APEC economies will undertake ATC on the basis of principles including:
JOINT ACTIVITIES
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
for sustainable agriculture by 2002.
COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS
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Regional energy consumption is rapidly increasing in tandem with the economic expansion of the Asia-Pacific region, turning energy into a potential bottleneck to sustainable economic growth. APEC economies will address the simultaneous achievement of the 3Es (economic growth, energy security and environmental protection) by sharing policy principles and enhancing closer cooperation toward the development of APEC as a sustainable energy community. APEC economies will set priority on the following:
APEC economies will develop a range of shared energy goals, building on and expanding the fourteen non-binding policy principles for rational energy consumption.
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
2000. The strategy features a program of implementation facilitation visits to member economies as requested on a voluntary basis and a system of self-reporting on progress on implementation of agreed energy initiatives to Leaders;
in the development and deployment of new and renewable energy technology, especially in developing economies;
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COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS
The Fisheries sector, like other renewable resource sectors, has a limited production base. APEC economies will seek to maximize the economic benefits to be gained from fisheries resources by promoting their long-term optimum sustainable utilization. Accordingly, APEC economies will set priority on the following:
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter alia:
The people of the Asia-Pacific region are its most important asset. The human resources needs of the region are both expanding and diversifying in tandem with its growth and dynamism. In responding to the human resources challenges in the region, APEC has defined three overarching themes underlying work in the HRD Working Group:
Uniting these themes are eight priority action areas:
as stated in the Declaration on a Human Resources Development Framework , and further engage in:
viii) promoting HRD toward the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
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APEC economies will undertake Human Resources Development Program 21, consisting of 21 sub- programs. In this program, APEC economies will, inter-alia:
to exchange and transfer managerial and technical skills;
in basic education;
and, in addition to this program, will:
In pursuing this program, due attention will be given to optimise integration of gender and youth into
APEC activities. In responding to the Beijing Initiative which calls for involvement of the stakeholders
in human capacity building efforts, APEC economies will explore mutually beneficial cooperation between the government, business/private and education/training sectors.
Improved levels of industrial science and technology will enhance economic growth, quality of life, environmental protection and development of a well-balanced industrial structure. APEC economies will improve the IS&T capabilities of each economy by recognizing eight non-binding principles for effective collaboration and by setting priority on the following:
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
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regulatory frameworks, and other joint activities. Key technologies would include advanced materials, nanotechnologies, industrial biotechnology, environmental technologies, information and communication technologies;
The pace of economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region depends on the improvement of economic infrastructure. APEC economies will seek to accelerate infrastructure improvement together with the support and enhancements it provides to wider economic, environmental and community development initiatives, facilitating investment in infrastructure and encouraging business/private sector involvement.
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
compiling best practices for use as benchmarks in the examination of the respective roles of the public and business/private sectors,
developing guidelines on infrastructure policy, regulation and investment to ensure a
more transparent and coherent environment for the business/private sector; and strengthening of infrastructure services’ support to regional and urban sustainable economic development, APEC Food System enhancements, environmental management;
to other fora such as to:
promote the exchange and application of best practices,
focus capacity development and training in infrastructure and development planning,
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encourage the integration and local application of other APEC supported initiatives, such as under the APEC Food System, sectoral infrastructure measures, and the addressing of gender and sustainable development concerns; and
The marine environment contributes substantially to the economic viability of APEC economies through trade in fisheries and aquaculture products, other marine commodities and tourism. These are dependent on active conservation of marine resources and the marine environment, degradation
of which has significant socioeconomic costs. While enhancing trade and investment in marine products, APEC economies will aim to protect the marine environment and to ensure continuing socioeconomic benefit. APEC economies will set priority on the following:
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
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b.
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improve the flow of information on marine resource management and
conservation;
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c.
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provide guidance on management of critical areas of their coastal
zones, and also
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on
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development of effective communication, information exchange and planning mechanisms;
SMEs are a critical engine for growth and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region, able to respond flexibly to technological advancement and the diversification of consumer needs. APEC economies will cooperate to maintain and develop SME dynamism by improving the economic environment so that SMEs may fully exploit their creativity and mobility, by helping SMEs address priority fields – human resources, information access, technology and technology sharing, financing and market access – and by improving SME policies. APEC economies will base their cooperation on principles such as:
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JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
Business Support Workshops;
Directory of Economies ’ agencies who are in charge of providing support for SMEs.
As the economic interdependence among APEC economies deepens, telecommunications and information infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region has a critical role to play in strengthening market linkages and enhancing trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. APEC economies will therefore seek to develop an Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure (APII) on the basis of the following ten principles:
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
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Conformity Assessment for Telecommunications Equipment (MRA);
Information Infrastructure (APII).
to assess and reward the value of products and services exchanged in the provision of converged Internet services among APEC economies, consistent with the APEC Principles on International Charging Arrangements for Internet Services ;
COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS
The tourism industry is of growing importance in promoting economic growth and social development
in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC economies will seek to achieve long-term environmental and social sustainability of the tourism industry by setting priority on the following:
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
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APEC economies will, inter-alia:
APEC economies will seek to stimulate intra-regional trade through trade promotion measures such
as holding trade fairs, disseminating information on trade-related issues and potential business opportunities, and providing advice on trade-related procedures.
JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
The ability of a transportation system to efficiently handle the movement of people and goods is critical in order to maximize economic productivity, facilitate trade and contribute to the mobility of people. APEC economies will therefore seek to develop an efficient, safe and integrated regional transportation system. The development of the transportation sector should promote equitable economic development to help people of all APEC economies share the benefits of economic growth. APEC economies will set priority on the following:
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JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE
APEC economies will, inter-alia:
ITS technology and standards ;
SECTION C: FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION
APEC fora will make proposals for the expansion and improvement of Common Policy Concepts, Joint Activities and Policy Dialogue in their respective areas where appropriate. The inclusion of additional areas to those initially defined in Section B: Economic and Technical Cooperation in Specific Areas may be considered. Proposals on the above will be submitted to the Ministerial Meeting.
APEC fora, notably Working Groups, will begin the work outlined in Section B: Economic and
Technical Cooperation in Specific Areas immediately; cooperating with each other to enhance the
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efficiency of APEC activities. In the above process, duplication of work among APEC fora should be avoided.
Each APEC forum will submit an annual progress report to the SOM. The SOM will review this progress and submit a report to the annual Ministerial Meeting for review. Work by relevant APEC Ministerial Meetings should be duly recognized.
This Action Agenda may be revised and improved as necessary based on the overall progress of liberalization, facilitation and cooperation in APEC.
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THE OSAKA ACTION AGENDA ANNEX
Action Programs in Specific Areas
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION ENERGY
FISHERIES
HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MARINE RESOURCE CONSERVATION SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TOURISM
TRADE PROMOTION TRANSPORTATION
ACTION PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION
Agriculture is an important sector for many APEC economies. It has played an important role in the economic progress in this region. Agricultural development has been strongly influenced by technology. Agricultural Technical Cooperation in coordination with agricultural resources leads to improvement on production capability, and food variety and quality. Because the need and level of development in each member economy is different, strengthening Agricultural Technical Cooperation among APEC members will have a significant impact on a balanced agricultural development, resource utilization and conservation in the region. The Agricultural Technical Cooperation initiative provides an opportunity to enhance agriculture’s contribution to the region’s economic growth and social well being, consistent with the vision of the Bogor Declaration.
The following objective, principles and strategies are shared as policy concepts by APEC member economies.
To enhance the capacity of agriculture and its related industries to contribute to economic growth and social well-being in the region.
APEC.
viii) Arrange meetings in a way which minimizes resource costs to maximize member participation.
In order to realize the goal of this action program, Agricultural Technical Cooperation will be implemented, with placing priority on the following areas of activities:
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2005.
Products
2003.
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR ENERGY
At the request of APEC Leaders, Senior Officials preparing for the Osaka Leaders’ Meeting in 1995 began the task of developing an Action Agenda to implement the Bogor Declaration. Working Groups and other APEC fora were asked to contribute to the Action Agenda by designing mid-term and long- term action programs on economic and technical cooperation (including infrastructure), and, where possible, on trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation. Senior Officials called for short term tangible results which could serve as down payments for the Action Agenda.
In addition to these general requirements, the then Working Group on Regional Energy Cooperation (now EWG) was specifically requested to include in its action program measures to give effect to the 3Es Initiative (economic growth, energy security and environmental protection) of APEC Leaders.
At their meeting in Sydney in 1996, APEC Energy Ministers endorsed 14 non-binding policy principles for rational energy consumption.
Energy Ministers at their fourth meeting (EMM4) held in San Diego, USA, on 12 May 2000, under the theme ‘Turning Vision into Reality’ conveyed their conviction to make the best effort for the simultaneous pursuit of economic growth, energy security and environmental protection, recognising that energy is central to maintaining the region’s economic recovery, building the region’s economic and social future, strengthening the marketplace, and promoting clean and sustainable development. In their message to APEC Leaders, Energy Ministers also committed to a set of primary principles that underpin APEC activities in the energy sector and to a new implementation strategy for APEC’s energy program.
At the 21st meeting of the Energy Working Group (EWG21) held on 18–19 May 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, member economies agreed the Vision, Objectives, and Plan of a new Future Directions Strategic Plan for the EWG.
Our Vision
The vision of the Energy Working Group holds that the EWG will promote the 3E’s (economic growth, energy security and environmental protection) and more broadly the contribution of energy to the economic, social, and environmental enhancement of the APEC community.
The EWG will achieve this by cooperation among member economies through government policy makers, technical experts, business/private sector representatives and regulators, working in partnership under the aegis of the EWG.
Our Objectives
The EWG will work cooperatively over the next five years to promote our vision through voluntary agreements, which take into account the individual circumstances of member economies. As part of its contribution to sustainable development within APEC, the EWG will pursue the following objectives:
APEC community;
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Our Plan
The EWG will promote policy approaches and initiatives and adopt work programs within the following strategic themes:
In 1996 Energy Ministers endorsed 14 non-binding policy principles for rational energy consumption, agreeing to:
to achieve a more rational energy consumption.
10. Enhance energy information and management programs to assist more rational energy decision making.
11. Encourage energy research, development and demonstration to pave the way for cost effective application of new, more efficient and environmentally sound energy technologies.
12. Promote capital flows through the progressive removal of impediments to the funding of the transfer and adoption of more energy efficient and environmentally sound technologies and infrastructure.
13. Promote cost effective measures which improve the efficiency with which energy is used but reduce greenhouse gases as part of a suggested regional response to greenhouse gas reductions.
14. Cooperate, to the extent consistent with each economy’s development needs, in the joint implementation of projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the Climate Change Convention.
Members will develop and build on these principles, including into additional areas where consensus can
be reached, consistent with the EWG Future Directions Strategic Plan.
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The EWG’s Action Program does not attempt to include the full spec trum of the Group’s activities. Rather it seeks to focus on key initiatives that will produce outcomes of direct relevance to the achievement of the objectives of the Bogor Declaration and the 3Es initiative.
The activities set out in the Action Program address both elements of the APEC Action Agenda (Part I concerning trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, and Part II concerning economic and technical cooperation) and cover the seven strategic themes referred to in the Plan above.
The EWG will continue to consolidate its energy database and production of a regional energy outlook. The outlook fosters member economies’ better understanding of the energy policy implications of future energy supply and demand trends and developments, thereby assisting member economies’ decision- making processes. The regional energy outlook is, and will continue to be, produced by the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) formally established in mid-1996, located in Japan and managed under the auspices of the Energy Working Group.
Activities aimed at further expansion of the APEC energy data base will be carried out by the Expert Group on Energy Data and Analysis. This will be achieved through the identification and collection of additional economic and social indicators, and by the collection of data on final energy consumption on
a more disaggregated basis. Where possible, this data will be collected from existing authorised international statistics. Other data will be submitted by each member economy. The timeliness and quality of oil market supply and demand data will be improved through activities aimed at improving the collection of this information from APEC member economies. These activities will be enhanced through technical cooperation with other multilateral agencies involved in energy data collection and analysis activities.
The EWG also encourages the free and open exchange of information on member economies policies and programs in the energy sector. This is facilitated through policy dialogue, and the exchange of information on notable energy developments and programs within member economies at EWG officials meetings.
Energy Ministers meeting in Okinawa, Japan, in 1998 recognised the importance of continuing improvements in the production, delivery and use of energy and agreed to implement a voluntary Pledge and Review program. EWG member economies report to meetings on progress against their pledged efficiency programs on an annual basis as a means of exchange of knowledge and information.
The EWG will continue to actively pursue the Implementation Strategy endorsed by Energy Ministers in San Diego, USA, in May 2001 through delivery of the implementation facilitation assistance team (IFAT) process and annual reporting on a voluntary basis by member economies against the primary principles contained in the Implementation Strategy.
The IFAT program is a mechanism developed by the EWG to assist APEC member economies to implement agreed energy initiatives, including, amongst other things, power and gas sector reform. Under the program, and at the invitation of a member economy government, a team of energy experts visits the host economy to share experiences and provide advice on options and approaches to implementing energy market reforms or other aspects of the energy sector. Team members are drawn from a cross-section of APEC member economies, including representatives of the EWG Business Network, the Energy Regulators Forum, and other nominated experts.
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The EWG will complete a study on ‘Strengthening the Operational Aspects of APEC Energy Micro- Economic Reform’ and deliver a series of workshops aimed at improving the understanding within APEC
of the role of micro-economic reform in energy markets and the efficiencies and benefits to consumers that can result. The workshops will also work to inform on issues associated with barriers to investment
in the energy sector and the means by which those barriers can be removed and private sector investment can be mobilised.
The EWG will undertake a project aimed at providing quantitative analysis of the broad economic impacts of micro-economic reform policies to deregulate energy markets in the APEC region. Using macro-economic modelling, the project will permit an assessment of the benefits to economies through lower energy prices and more open and transparent energy markets that are expected to flow from regulatory reform. The project will assess the potential benefits of reform at both the economy wide level
– through impacts on gross domestic product and sectoral outputs – as well as at the energy sector level – through impacts on energy prices, consumption and trade. The project will quantify the potential impacts of regulatory reform in the energy sector on macroeconomic performance as well as on energy consumption, prices and trade. The project will analyse the impacts of deregulation in the electricity sector as well as in primary fuel markets for petroleum, gas and coal, where appropriate.
In Edmonton, Canada, in 1997 APEC Energy Ministers endorsed an Environmentally Sound Infrastructure Initiative. Ministers noted that the rapid increase in power infrastructure, which will be necessary to meet the economic and social aspirations of the region, will have impacts on the environment, and that these impacts can be of a local, regional, or global nature. Ministers further noted that the challenge facing the region was to attract investment in power infrastructure, while at the same time ensuring that such infrastructure was established and operated in an environmentally sensitive way.
In Edmonton, Canada, APEC Energy Ministers also asked the EWG to examine ways to encourage greater strategic input from business. Trade and investment decisions in markets are impacted by the policies and practices set by government. To the extent that policies and practices can be changed to remove impediments, improve transparency and reduce risks, new trade and investment opportunities will open up and costs will be reduced. APEC provides an important vehicle for generating such change, providing a mechanism to influence governments at Leader, Ministerial, and Official level. By informing in
a constructive way, change can be influenced. This is not a short -term goal, but rather a longer-term objective that will generate mutual benefits with respect to the economic and social goals of governments through increased private sector investment and trade, and returns to business/private sector through greater opportunities and reduced costs. Crucial to the efficient realization of this objective is strategic input from business/private sector to ensure objectives are well defined and strategies appropriate. As a result, EWG members agreed, at their meeting in March 1998, to the establishment of the APEC EWG Business Network (EBN). The EBN meets twice a year and inputs through dialogue with officials to EWG policy and program development processes.
Member economies participate in the activities of the five Expert Groups of the EWG. Expert Group activities involve economic and technical cooperation in the areas of Energy Efficiency and Conservation, New and Renewable Energy Technology, Energy Data and Analysis, Clean Fossil Energy, and Energy and Minerals Exploration and Development.
The EWG, Energy Regulators Forum (ERF) focuses its work program on activities that assess, advise and report to EWG on regulatory aspects of energy market developments in the APEC region. The ERF promotes exchange of information and regulatory expertise within and between member economies; facilitating exchanges and strengthening linkages with and between other APEC fora, including the EWG Expert Groups, EWG Business Network (EBN), Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC),
as well as guests of the EWG and ERF; and encouraging member economies to attend and participate
in appropriate APEC and EWG funded workshops and seminars that have an energy regulatory component.
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In San Diego, USA, in May 2001 Energy Ministers called for the establishment of the position of an APEC Energy Efficiency Test Procedures Coordinator. The EWG will establish this position with the purpose of continuing the work started by the Steering Group on Energy Standards (SGES) on reducing barriers to trade created by differing energy performance test methods and energy performance requirements. The overall purpose will be met via the five objectives identified by the SGES:
to energy efficiency standards within member economies to all relevant parties and to provide coordination between member economies on the development of energy standards.
tracking international developments in the field of energy standards.
As part of its broad program of work the EWG will develop and implement an energy security initiative which aims to improve the functioning of energy markets; energy efficiency and conservation; diversification of energy resources; renewable energy development and deployment; and explore the potential for alternative transport fuels, to alleviate pressure on the oil market, including the role that stocks could play as an option to respond to oil market disruptions. As part of this initiative, the EWG will deliver a project titled ‘Energy Security Initiative: Petroleum Stocks as an Option to Respond to Oil Market Disruptions’. The objective of the project is to provide member economies with further options to consider in addressing the economic impacts of oil market volatility and more fundamental energy security concerns. Consistent with the EWG’s approach to all of the initiatives it develops and executes, participation in developing the initiative and any follow up action by individual member economies based
on agreed elements of the initiative will be voluntary. The initiative will provide exchanges of information and experience on policy, analytical and technical issues, stock holdings and draw down arrangements, costs, and integration with other energy security measures. The EWG will use the ‘Best Practice model’
of previous initiatives and will emphasize shared experiences. The project will, through a series of workshops, draw upon existing expertise in the EWG and its Expert Groups, the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre, member economies, and other appropriate organisations.
The EWG will implement an Earthquak e Response Initiative that will involve sharing of information and experience. All APEC member economies will strengthen their capacity to prepare for earthquake disasters and to carry out rescue and restoration efforts. Overall, this initiative will lessen the damage to energy systems from earthquakes and increase energy supply security in the region. Initially this initiative will deliver a Report on Energy Infrastructure Earthquake Resistance Guidelines and Regulations of APEC Economies. The project will also deliver a seminar at which the participants from APEC member economies will present guidelines and regulations aiming to reduce the impacts of earthquakes on energy infrastructure, as well as best practices on post-earthquake investigation and restoration. The proceedings of the seminar will be published and widely distributed within the APEC region.
The EWG will undertake a project to identify and address barriers (policy, technical, regulatory and legal) to the interconnection of power grids in APEC member economies. Recommendations for action will be presented to the EWG, and two workshops conducted with relevant parties to disseminate information and strategies on overcoming barriers. Through these workshops member economies will develop and gain a greater and more practical understanding of how to target and implement the policies
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developed. Workshops would be held in venues to maximise participation of member economies. This project is of significance to developing APEC economies, many of which are characterised by under developed power inter-connections.
The APEC 21st Century Renewable Energy Development Initiative consists of the development within the EWG Expert Group on New and Renewable Energy (EGNRET) Technologies of a series of collaborative efforts among its member economies to advance the use of renewable energy for sustainable economic development and growth of the APEC region. EGNRET has identified the priority needs and issues of its members, especially developing economies, for the promotion of sustainable development and growth, relating to the use of renewable energy. Eight collaborative efforts are being developed and will be implemented by multi-economy and multi-disciplinary ‘program teams’ consisting
of representatives from governments, the private sector, NGOs, utilities and financing organisations.
The EWG will implement a research project ‘Harmonising Economic and Environmental Objectives of Energy Policy’. The project will deliver the findings of a comprehensive examination of key relevant issues relating to the harmonisation of economic and environmental objectives of energy policy. The information obtained will assist member economies in decision and policy development processes. The work program will aim to improve the information base in relation to environmental impacts of energy production and use, and assess the extent to which the deployment of technology and end use efficiency can contribute to harmonising environmental and energy objectives.
The EWG will undertake a review of the various standards that exist within APEC that govern the application of new and renewable energy technologies. The results of the review will be documented and shared. A universal knowledge of standards and regulations relating to the application of new and renewable energy technologies within member economies will facilitate a better understanding of the potential barriers to trade in these technologies and products.
The EWG will deliver a series of workshops on the impacts of e-commerce on the energy sector within the APEC region. This work will be undertaken by the ad-hoc task force on e-commerce in energy established by EWG20 in Cusco, Peru.
The EWG will finalise work on energy services whose outcomes will not in any way prejudice activities underway in the WTO on services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services. The EWG will report back to the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) so that the Group on Services under CTI can progress this work.
The EWG will undertake work that will provide quantitative analysis of the benefits of the uptake of ‘New Economy’ technologies to the energy sector in APEC member economies. This project will benefit all APEC member economies by providing a common understanding of the implications of these technologies for economic growth and sectoral performance, with a particular focus on energy consumption, production and trade.
The EWG will initiate a project that will determine the extent to which interconnection standards for distributed electricity resources and policies act as barriers to trade within APEC economies. The miniaturisation of electric-generating technologies is a growing trend within APEC economies. These technologies can be placed at the source of electricity consumption rather than at central stations. A lack of interconnection standards could act as a barrier to using these small-scale technologies and, hence, to trade in APEC economies.
The focus of activities in the Action Program is on cooperative action that will encourage increased policy dialogue between member economies, leading to the further development of shared non-binding
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policy concepts. The strong foundation created in this manner will provide the basis for member economies to undertake mutual examination of each other’s energy policies, in line with common policy concepts and goals, in order to achieve balanced and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR FISHERIES
The Pacific Ocean, with an area exceeding that of the land mass of the entire world, accounts for about fifty percent of the world’s harvest, consumption and exports of fish and fish products. Aquaculture output in the region accounts for approximately seventy five percent of the world’s total aquaculture production and is playing an increasingly important role in trade and economic development in the region. Fishing is one of the major economic activities in the Asia-Pacific region. In many member economies it forms a significant part of the economic base, and in some smaller economies, particularly
in the South Pacific, it provides the only realistic opportunity for their future economic growth and prosperity.
The unique feature of fisheries is that they have a certain limit to their production base. The world’s fisheries, including some in the Pacific, have suffered from over-exploitation and have not always been rationally utilised to ensure sustainable economic development. These factors also apply to aquaculture production which, while seeming to have potential for further expansion, faces environmental limits in the form of water quality, availability of space, etc. Close cooperation among APEC members is required in order to promote long-term optimum utilisation based upon sustainability of the resource. These unique features raise unique issues for the fisheries sector in achieving the direction given by APEC Leaders in the Bogor Declaration.
The following goal, principles and objectives are shared as policy concepts.
Maximize the economic benefits from, and the sustainability of, fisheries resources for the common benefit of all APEC members.
In achieving the
The sustainable development of the regions fisheries and aquaculture resources is the responsibility of all APEC members if we are to achieve long term economic growth based upon the regions fisheries. Further, in order for the benefits from the sustainable development of the regions resources to be realised and shared, all APEC members have a responsibility to advance trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation.
ii) Common Interest/Common Benefit
Many of the problems associated with fisheries and aquaculture management are common to all APEC members. Issues such as over utilisation, user group conflict, environmental degradation, gender, supply and demand trends, and trade and investment barriers are experienced by all members. The solutions developed by some members to these issues could well provide the solutions required in other member economies. There is a common benefit in sharing experiences relating to the resolution of these issues.
iii) GATT/WTO Consistency
In order for the maximum economic benefits from the region’s fisheries to be realised, a progressively liberalised and ultimately free and open trade and investment regime must be
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established. Barriers to trade and investment will be reduced and the free flow of goods, services and capital will be promoted in a GATT consistent manner.
iv) Equal Partnership and Mutual Respect
It is recognized that a diversity of circumstances exist in the region. It is also recognized that we all benefit by advancing economic growth, improved education and training and resource sustainability throughout the region.
The Fisheries Working Group has identified the following objectives that the Group will need to address within its work programme in order to achieve its stated goal.
of the production base of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the following areas:
In developing these objectives consideration needs to be given to the unique characteristics of the resource concerned. The Vision Statement of the FWG provides a context within which to apply the above objectives. However, various sector specific issues will also need to be addressed. These issues can be summarised as:
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of the production base of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the following areas:
General comment: The work of the FWG is hampered by the refusal of some economies to participate in discussions of trade liberalization. In some cases, this is due to the perception that a few economies might impose their approaches on other economies, thereby challenging the sovereign authorities of each economy to establish its own domestic approac hes to international problems. In other cases, the reasons why progress is being blocked are less clear.
to the characteristics of fisheries. The vision statement of the FWG provides the context within which the above objectives apply. However, various sector specific issues need
to be addressed including:
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General comment: The FWG is well-positioned to begin projects that address these concerns. Perhaps the Ocean-related Ministerial Meeting and the WSSD process will begin to provide clarity to our thinking about how to resolve these issues.
Member economies will engage in dialogue on their policies/activities at the Fisheries Working Group to review and further develop the common policy concepts and the joint activities.
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
In response to the adoption of the Bogor Declaration in November 1994, the Ministers decided that an action program would be formed around the components of (a) trade and investment liberalization; (b) trade and investment facilitation; and (c) economic and technical cooperation.
In the context of economic and technical cooperation, a mid/long-term perspective is necessary on human resources development, guided by the principle and recognition that the people in the region are
its most important resource. With the dynamism of the region reflected in changing human resources needs, continued priority attention should be devoted to developing human resources. Given the principles enunciated in the Human Resources Development Framework , it is also imperative that an Action Program for APEC HRD be formulated in order to establish policy concepts and provide directions in the pursuit of concrete activities and projects.
In the formulation of the stated Action Program, the HRD Working Group and the other APEC fora shall be guided by the following:
iii) The accelerating globalization of industry creates a prime opportunity to encourage the establishment and growth of domestic industry and to nurture a highly efficient and productive industrial structure. In recognizing this, the APEC Ministers, during the meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, in November 1994, agreed that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) policy dialogue on human resources development, information access, technology sharing, the availability of finance, and market access, should be further enhanced.
The Action Program for APEC Human Resources Development shall have the following components and features:
The common policy concepts shall essentially consist of the goals, basic principles, and priorities defined by the Declaration on the Human Resources Development Framework . These concepts are shared and acknowledged by the APEC member economies as the basis for the development and implementation of HRD programs within the region.
As stated in the Declaration on Human Resources Development Framework and the 1995 HRD work plan, the goal of human resources development in APEC is to promote the well-being of all people in the
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region through economic growth and development. Furthermore, HRD has an important role to play in achieving the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment which was emphasized in the Bogor Declaration. This development of human resources will be achieved by planning, developing, and implementing practical and appropriate education and training for present and future managers, entrepreneurs, and workers in the public and private sectors and even non-workers contributing to the economic growth, trade and development of the region. Well-educated and well-trained individuals may contribute to future economic growth and development through their roles as parents and community figures as well as through current or future employment.
APEC HRD will be based on the following principles, as stated in the Declaration on Human Resources
Development Framework and the HRD’s annual work plans:
iii) Human resources development requires cooperative action by public, and business/private sectors, educational and training institutions.
iv) In designing regional approaches to human resources development, attention must be given to the diversity of experiences and situations in the region.
The formulation of the Action Program for APEC HRD shall be guided by the priorities enunciated in the Declaration on Human Resources Development Framework and a priority area on trade and investment facilitation and liberalization. These priorities, which call for joint activities, are as follows:
viii) Cooperation in education and training among member economies will promote human resources development toward the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment in the region. Increased international mobility of qualified persons for HRD activities will also enhance economic growth.
The eight priorities earlier indicated basically define the basic mission of APEC for human resources development. It shall be incumbent upon the HRDWG therefore, to translate these mandates into attainable plans for HRD, increasing opportunities for joint activities among member economies to
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maximize the benefits of human resources development in the region. These priorities, ultimately, when translated into concrete action, shall put into motion the goals and objectives of promoting of well-being
of individuals within the region, not only as the means to achieve economic growth and development, but the end itself.
Bearing this major objective in mind, the joint activities shall be developed on the basis of the following framework:
iii) Performance indicators shall be established for each priority area and each joint activity to identify specific milestone points and to provide a basis for the assessment of the progress of activities through a set of pre-defined measurement targets and indicators.
iv) Joint activities shall be monitored and evaluated against the measurement targets or performance indicators to enable the collection of information that will serve as basis for future planning and policy formulation activities within the APEC HRDWG and other APEC fora.
vi) A system for reporting and feedback by and among the member economies shall be established to promote complementation in the HRD activities of various member economies.
The HRDWG will examine proposals on such joint activities and, where appropriate, approve them as APEC HRD cooperative projects. The progress and outcome of these projects will be reported to HRDWG meetings. The HRDWG will also prioritize the projects requiring funding from the APEC Central Fund and send them to SOM via BMC for approval.
The other APEC fora shall also undertake human resources development activities in the field for which they are responsible in order to maximize the potentials of economic growth and development in the region toward the promotion of the well-being of its people in the region.
In pursuing HRD efforts, due attention will be given to optimize integration of gender and youth into
APEC activities.
In responding to the Beijing Initiative which calls for involvement of the stakeholders in human capacity building efforts, APEC economies will explore mutually beneficial cooperation between the government, business/private and education/training sectors.
On the basis of the framework agreed upon, the HRDWG shall examine proposals on joint projects, taking into account this framework and the eight priority areas identified earlier. It shall likewise coordinate with other APEC fora to promote cross-forum cooperation in the conduct of HRD-related activities.
For its Action Program, the HRDWG has identified 21 program areas consisting of 14 sub-programs of the HRDWG addressing the themes developed under the eight priority areas, and an additional 7 sub- programs developed as Leaders’ and Ministers’ initiatives. Specific projects/activities and their corresponding performance indicators have been established by the HRDWG to guide the course of its activities in the mid- to long-term. The 21 programs of the HRD are as follows:
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The development of human resources is highly dependent on high-quality curriculum, effective instructional methods, and use of new and innovative technologies, both for formal and informal education. In particular, enhancing the capacity of teachers to deliver high-quality instruction and ensuring that students have access to high-quality instructional materials are essential to an effective system of education and training. For this purpose, member economies may identify subject areas that they consider particularly critical to economic growth and development. Member economies may gain significant insights toward the improvement of instructional methods through information sharing. Specific activities which the HRDWG has completed include integrating training in use of information and communication technologies into teaching training, methods for formulating standards for vocational teachers, case studies of promising models or practices for teacher induction, teacher development, and teaching/work environments. Comparative study of primary and secondary science education programs
in APEC members toward the identification of effective policies and practices to improve science education and an assessment of levels of utilization of computer network systems among students, teachers, and administrators served promote innovative uses of technology in education.
Understanding and anticipating the trends and needs in human resources development is vital for all aspects of economic growth. This requires the analysis of regional labor market to allow sound forecasting and policy formulation by member economies. Toward this end, the HRDWG, will undertake researches, conferences, and symposia to facilitate information exchange and data gathering and assessment. Projects to be undertaken in the short-term include the conduct of researches to determine extent of linkages between labor market and education and the role and status of women in social and economic development; and the conduct of symposia on Public-Private Sector Collaboration in HRD and
on capacity building in HRD of key basic industries in the region. In the medium-term, it shall establish a
HRD data base in collaboration with PECC.
In order to maximize growth opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of APEC member economies, the HRDWG shall pursue projects that would promote the quality of management and entrepreneurial skills in human resources. Projects to be undertaken under this sub-program include the conduct of ‘Training Programs and Surveys to Enhance Productivity Among SMEs’, short -term programs that will proceed to the medium-term. Other projects include the promotion and conduct of on-the-job training programs from the mid- to long-term.
To sustain benefits that are to be derived from increased productivity resulting from human resources development, emphasis will likewise be placed on strengthening the management, education, and training systems of member economies for increased environmental awareness and for the effective management of environmental issues within organizations. A significant project to promote this theme would be to produce, in the long term, certification systems for environment managers with emphasis on pollution prevention. Projects to be undertaken in the short -term include the conduct of an APEC-wide study on the ‘Future Directions of Industrial Environmental Technology HRD’ toward the development of environmental industrial strategies; conduct of a ‘Conference on Critical Strategies for Responding to HRD Implications of Environmental Technology Issues’; and the launching of the ‘Economic and Development Environment Investments Project’ to provide EDM training for policy advisors and managers.
The development of human resources within the region will have to be undertaken at all levels within organizations. The needs of executives and managers should be equally addressed in the light of the emerging trends and realities in the region. The educat ion and development of management personnel to
a level where they can accurately gauge the rapidly changing Asia-Pacific economic and technical environment and respond to these changes is critical to the region’s sustained development and growth.
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Training courses for Economic Development Zone senior managers were also been undertaken which will culminate with a symposium. The conduct of Get-togethers on HRD beginning in 1996 by Entrepreneurs to promote information exchange and to increase manager exchange programs in the long-term; conduct of research on modalities of university-industry cooperation in the region; and research on technology management and HRD support in the APEC region shall be undertaken in the short-term. The development of training materials for management development through research into trends in executive development programs shall also be pursued from the short- to medium-term.
Condition and Social Safety Net (Related to Priority 2, 3, 4 and 7)
Support strong and flexible labor markets through policy research, collaboration, technical cooperation and the provision of labor market, enterprise-based training, and employment policies including labor market adjustment measures to assist workers affected by globalization and the development of professional and technical personnel; support the development of improved workplace conditions and practices including such measures as enhancing productivity, the adoption of new technologies, better labor-management relations, and improved safety and health; work on the strengthening of social safety nets in areas such as income support programs, measures to enhance employability, empower individuals, and mitigate dependence.
Improving the quality of curricula, teaching methods, and instructional materials relating to industrial technology education is increasingly necessary to optimize the development of human resources who can adequately respond to changing business market opportunities in the emerging borderless Asia- Pacific economic community. Critical elements of this program include the conduct of cooperation efforts geared to encouraging exchange of information on training and skills development policies, strategies, and programs among member economies. Specific projects/activities under this program include establishment of a network of research collaborators toward the identification of best practice approaches in the field of information technology education; and development of ‘Technology Management Training Program for SMEs’.
Improving labor productivity and flexibility is central to sustainable and equitable economic growth in the APEC region. As such, human resource development initiatives and strategies should cater to the emerging needs of the region’s manpower in order that they may be equipped to equally address emerging roles and skills requirements in the region. This program emphasizes the significance of creating new approaches and HRD programs for application in all stages of a person’s working life. To provide a solid foundation for various initiatives under this program, the HRDWG has published regional and general papers on lifelong learning programs and intends to develop a database on individuals and agencies developing lifelong learning activities. A conference on ‘Lifelong Learning Approaches and Initiatives’ was held in 1997.
In order to determine whether education systems are able to achieve their goals of instilling knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors in students, as well as prepare students for the world of work, further learning, and good citizenship, it is necessary to put in place a strategy to acquire quality data, measure performance, and a system for analysis and reporting. This is important in determining how much of the goals are met vis-a vis the actual performance of education systems. Cooperative work among member economies under this program should help member economies design methods to develop data and monitor their own system’s performance. As such, projects under this program include the collection and publication of an APEC educational indicators dat abase in 2002. Conferences have been undertaken to promote information sharing on ‘state-of-the-art’ performance measurement approaches and reporting systems: a framework conference conducted in October 1995, a conference
on school-based indicators in 1996 and a conference on student assessment in October 2000. In
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January 1999, as part of a conference on education management reform, methods of performance assessment currently being utilized were a key aspect of the discussion. The continuous exchange of information is expected to result in the establishment of higher performing systems in the region.
Growth (Related to Priorities 6 and 8)
Enhancement of the capacity and opportunities for the movement among member economies of people who have skills relevant for economic growth is a necessary element in achieving trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the region. Thus, consistent with the goals of APEC, its HRD activities must facilitate the movement and interaction of qualified persons. To further promote HRD in the region
as a means to achieve economic goals, projects to be undertaken in the short -term included the sharing
of information on best practice and training in systems of accreditation, curriculum development and certification, with engineering as pilot; and conduct of an experts meeting to discuss new exchanges in higher education for the 21st century. In the medium-term, the publication of member economy profiles in booklet and video forms, for distribution among schools in at least half of the members to facilitate student project work; and the establishment of a communication network among education and human resource policy makers to promote information sharing has been pursued. The establishment of APEC Study Centers at institutions of higher education and research centers throughout the region has been undertaken on a continuing basis. The conduct of increased levels of exchanges of students, staff, and researchers through the University Mobility in the Asia Pacific (UMAP) and increased exchanges of education officials through EDNET cooperation are also underway and continuing. A series of bilateral agreements for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications between professional bodies or governments are being pursued in the long-term. The establishment of additional bilateral agreements promoted a continuing program for the exchange of education officials in the region in 2000.
movement of qualified and experienced human resources within the region will contribute to the economic development of the Asia-Pacific region. Toward this end, member economies shall share best practices and undertake training programs in the system of accreditation, curriculum development, and certification of professions in the short -term. Mutual recognition of qualification is endeavoured to be realized in the long-term through a series of bilateral agreements between professional bodies and governments in the region.
This program shall be pursued to assist organizations in managing the change process resulting from technological changes and the dynamism of processes in the region. The changes in the economic and technical environment embracing the public and private sector calls for certain levels of restructuring within organizations and corresponding initiatives to enable human resources in organizations to effectively manage the restructuring processes as well as pursue better relations within the workplace. A report on ‘Managing Corporate Change Within APEC Economies’ was published in September 1995 and
a seminar relating to Labour-Management-Government relations in the workplace
was held in June 2001.
Significantly, fac
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The emerging realities in the region provide the impetus for cooperative arrangements among member economies in ensuring the availability of a workforce that would respond to the needs and requirements
of the region. Consistent with the vision of a community of nations bonded by a deepening spirit of openness and partnership, the member economies have endeavoured to liberalize and facilitate the exchange of technological know-how and qualified persons to address the skills requirements in the region. Toward this end, member economies will promote cross-member investment in education and training through principles to be established and implemented in bilateral and other agreements in the mid- to long-term. The HRDWG will also undertake an analysis of various researches conducted in the field of cross-cultural management of trade dispute resolution toward the development of course material
in the short-term to promote appreciation of this approach in trade dispute resolution among member economies.
Standards and conformance are an important area in regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. As such, it is vital to ensure the quality and availability of skilled and trained human resources that can establish and implement effective standards and conformance systems in the region.
In line with this, the HRDWG shall undertake in the short -term a study on HRD requirements to promote quality assurance system and implement workshops in the medium-term to discuss expert exchanges and harness opportunities for training in the field of standards and conformance.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) have assumed a critical level of importance in the light of the more liberalized flow of goods and services within the global and regional community. Given this, the availability of highly trained human resources to implement systems relating to intellectual property rights will have to be ensured among the member economies. The HRDWG, toward this end, will conduct activities to raise consciousness on IPR systems and their implementation. Part of this undertaking has involved the determination of further needs for training of member economies on the development of IPR and the development and conduct of IPR courses in member economies.
The following Leaders’ and Ministers’ initiatives respond to specific priorities identified earlier and are linked to the fourteen sub-programs of the HRDWG that address the themes of the eight priority areas:
Proposed by the USA, the APEC Leaders Education Initiative (ALEI) will be an investment in the education of future generations to develop regional cooperation in higher education, study key regional economic issues, improve workers’ skills, facilitate cultural and intellectual exchanges, foster understanding on the diversity of this region, and to harness other regional cooperative undertakings in the aspect of education and human resource development.
The establishment of APEC Study Centers is an important component of ALEI. Thes e centers have been established in all member economies to promote collaborative research on APEC related issues. ALEI also includes the implementation of an APEC scholars program to promote the exchange of students and teachers.
Proposed by Thailand, the APEC Business Volunteers Program aims to promote HRD to create business, legal, and other environments favourable to trade and investment by mutual expert dispatch among private sector entities in the APEC region. This initiative also aims to further economic
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development in the region through the exchange and transfer of managerial and technical skills by exchange of business volunteers.
A significant feature of this program includes the establishment of focal points in each member economy that identifies the needs and expertise available in each member economy for compilation into a roster
of available expertise to be used in the networking activities among the member focal points. To facilitate and systematically carry out continuous information exchange and strengthen communication lines among the various focal points, an APEC BVP Coordinating Office in Bangkok, Thailand, was established. This office has also served as an information center with access to updated rosters of experts in member economies and has received applications for expert dispatch for referral to appropriate expert dispatch agencies in member economies.
Responding to the APEC challenges, Ministerial Meetings on Human Resources Development have been held since 1996 and biennially since 1997 to maintain the momentum of ongoing HRD efforts and
to chart the direction of future HRD work in APEC.
The project is a result of the APEC Leaders pledge in Blake Island, USA, during which the Philippine Government put forward the initiative to operationalize a center that will collectively harness the resources of APEC member economies to support sustainable development and growth of SMEs in the region. The Center performs the role of a resource center with distinct capabilities in information networking, mobilization of training opportunities for technical know-how absorption and upgrading, and organizing spec ialized activities to reach out to SMEs for syndicating technology transfer projects in the spirit of intra-regional cooperation and business internationalization.
The APEC HRDWG has adopted ‘SMEs’ as a key theme in its workplan. This complements the recognition that SMEs are increasingly important in terms of heightening economic complementarities and development in the region. Toward this end, APEC HRD afforded more emphasis on activities that support the growth and development of SMEs, which in turn, has supported the overall APEC goal of further economic growth in the region.
The Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Development was held in 1997. Taking the cue from Senior Officials who review APEC activities in sustainable development regularly in consultation with Chairs and Lead Shepherds of all APEC fora, the HRDWG discusses pertinent issues relating to sustainable development as part of its regular agenda at its meetings.
Proposed by the USA and welcomed by the Ministers in Jakarta, Indonesia, the APEC Education Foundation (AEF) was established in 1995 as an expansion of the Leaders’ Education Initiative to advance the cause of education and human resources development in the region. Following the proposal
by Korea, the Foundation’s Grants and Programs Secretariat was opened in Seoul, Korea, in 1997 and the Administrative Office later in Monterey, USA. In Vancouver, Canada, APEC Leaders acknowledged the development and progress of the Foundation in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Declaration. With financial contributions from the Korean Government and the private sector in the USA, the AEF has supported the endeavors of APEC member economies to enhance collective learning and exchange information. In 2000, the AEF reorganized and consolidated the Secretariat, now integrated in Seoul, to ensure efficiency and transparency. In Brunei, Ministers welcomed ‘the efforts to revitalize the APEC Education Foundation and urged economies to participate actively in the Foundation.’
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As a grant-making organization intended to channel investments into the development of human resources in the region, the AEF will continue to promote educational cooperation, research and scholarship, and community building through a concerted approach among the public and private sectors and educational and training institutions. In collaboration with various partners of APEC, the AEF will also seek ways to contribute to human capacity building within APEC in its priority areas. In order to build a solid basis to advance its objectives, efforts will be accelerated to establish a financial resource base and enhance public outreach.
Considering the critical role of human resources in promoting growth and development potentials in the region, its continued development has been pursued in consonance with policy and program initiatives that has been developed and undertaken in the various APEC fora.
A regular agenda item at HRDWG meetings provides for discussion on HRD-related activities in other
APEC fora. These include:
of WTO Agreements (Committee on Trade and Investment).
(APEC Finance process).
(Agricultural Technical Cooperation WG).
WG).
Members will implement regularly policy dialogues at the HRDWG to promote better understanding and appreciation of policy concepts described above and to facilitate HRD joint activities among member economies. Such dialogues shall include discussions and sharing of experiences and insights among APEC member economies on progress achieved in the field of human resources development, and consultation on each member’s policies in the light of common policy concepts.
APEC members will review the outcome of joint activities and the status of HRD in each economy on the basis of performance indicators to be established by the HRDWG.
APEC economies will conduct the necessary dialogue on appropriate themes from the entire range of
HRD issues. These will include:
Policy developments occurring in the field of human resources development in the member economies shall be shared to promote cooperative undertakings in training and education. It is envisioned that through a direct and deliberate pattern of information exchange, the member economies will be able to enhance cooperation and harness opportunities for the formulation of complementary policies and standards in the region. It is also through improved channels of information exchange that the distinct character of political, economic, and social realities prevailing in the member economies can be appreciated for closer cooperation in the pursuit of HRD programs within the APEC.
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ii) Promotion of Professional HRD Practices and Standards
Efforts to promote professional HRD practices and standards shall be pursued by the HRDWG. This will be done through sharing of information on current HRD practices and curriculum development systems of various member economies.
As a parallel strategy, systems will be provided and harmonized whenever possible, for the promotion of personnel exchanges.
Formulation of an annual work plan to implement the Action Program.
Action Program shall be reviewed regularly and amended whenever necessary to improve performance.
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Asia-Pacific region now accounts for 50% of the world’s GNP and 40% of international trade and continues to display strong economic growth. The region also has great potential in terms of both economic supply and demand.
In order to secure sustainable economic growth, it is vital not only to facilitate increased investment in the region but to promote widespread access to and knowledge about industrial science and technology
(IST).
The common policy concepts shall essentially consist of the goals, basic principles, and priorities defined by the APEC Agenda for S&T Industry Cooperation into the 21st Century, which was finalized following the 1998 meeting of APEC S&T Ministers in Mexico City, Mexico. These concepts are shared and acknowledged by the APEC member economies as the basis for the development and implementation of IST programs within the region.
Our vision for the 21st century is of a dynamic and prosperous Asia-Pacific region built on the development and application of industrial science and technology which improves quality of life while safeguarding the natural environment.
By the year 2020 industrial science and technology policies and programs in the APEC region should achieve:
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enhanced economic growth, trade and investment opportunities;
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better quality of life and a clean environment;
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a well-balanced industrial structure which builds on the diversity of the
region;
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improved levels of scientific knowledge promoting
economic activities,
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particularly
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business/private sector growth, as well as technological sophistication in the region;
Recognizing the diversity in size, economic development and technological capacity of member economies, international collaboration in industrial science and technology should proceed on the following basis:
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The ISTWG will work on the following priorities with joint activities and dialogue identified in Sections 3 and 4 below, keeping in mind gender-related issues, to realize the Common Policy Concept of the Action Program. The Working Group will keep these activities under review in the light of experience and develop new or revised activities consistent with the vision, goals and principles of the Action Program.
The following key priorities have been drawn from the Common Policy Concept:
The flow of technological information and technology is critical for sowing the seeds of economic growth and technological innovation. This can include the trade and investment in technologies, with assurances of adequate protection of intellectual property and equitable allocation of results and commercial benefits. It is part icularly important to ensure that technological information and technology flows provide direct and tangible benefits to all sectors, especially SMEs.
Technological and industrial innovation will not occur at the regional, member economy or firm level if researcher exchange and the full human capacity of the workforce, management and research sectors is not geared to the needs of a changing industrial and economic context.
Specific strategies will focus on the expansion of researcher exchange, with due regard to skill development, and to education and training needs in industrial science and technology, complementing and supporting the work of the APEC HRD Working Group.
The increased costs and complexity of science and technology require new approaches in the region. The ISTWG will establish new mechanisms and processes for joint research on issues of concern. A number of existing collaboration programs provide potential models and new initiatives are being developed in discussions between member economies.
Member economies have identified the need for clarity and transparency in the regulatory framework affecting flows of technology and expertise. Reforms in this area are critical to ensuring innovation in the region. Work in this area will be linked to the work carried out by other APEC fora.
The ISTWG, in keeping with its vision statement, is concerned to ensure that the development and deployment of industrial science and technology contributes to sustainable development. Workshops
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and symposiums will be helpful for sharing the information and current technologies necessary to ensure that the business/private sector in the region can introduce new technologies that not only prevent environmental degradation but also contribute to a better lifestyle for all people in the region.
There are major benefits to be gained by sharing information on the efficiency and effectiveness of alternative policy and program approaches. Actions will be implemented to facilitate a regular exchange
of views, and member economies are encouraged to develop policies by sharing knowledge and experience in these areas.
The rapid introduction of new generations of technology, the increasing complexity of these technologies, and the demand for speed-to-market introduce challenges to both the private sector and the research community in all APEC economies. The ISTWG recognizes that to meet these challenges, APEC economies must strengthen their cooperation in the development of key technologies. The ISTWG would achieve this goal through collaborative R&D initiatives, technology road mapping, technology foresight, the sharing of technological information and technology, and improvements in the clarity and transparency of regulatory frameworks affecting flows of technology and expertise. Initiatives would include APEC Technomart, with its focus on SMEs; continued support for the APEC Centre for Technology Foresight; specific projects and initiatives and projects to support the development and use
of key technologies such as advanced materials, nanotechnologies, industrial biotechnology (in agreement with ATCWG on agricultural biotechnology applications), environmental technologies, information and communication technologies.
The need to strengthen connections within and across APEC economies between scientific research, the development of key technologies, and their application through innovation in the marketplace is critical to economic growth in the APEC region. The ISTWG will pursue this goal by strengthening collaboration between government, industry (especially SMEs), and the research community through development of technology diffusion initiatives which facilitate the transition from emerging technologies
to their application for new industries and other socioeconomic objectives. Information flows on science and technology among member economies will be achieved through the expanded use of ASTWeb, specialized side meetings designed to bring the developers and users of S&T together, and events such
as Technomart.
In the ‘New Economy’, knowledge is key. Recognizing that knowledge is embodied in people, the ISTWG will work towards the continuous development of the engineers, scientists, technicians and technologies needed for APEC member economies to secure economic growth in the New Economy. Initiatives will include S&T awareness in secondary schools (APEC Youth Science Festivals); training/skills development initiatives in critical areas of industrial S&T, environment and health; gender awareness and integration; res earcher exchanges/cooperation; fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industry; and adoption of distance learning technologies.
Initiatives
The ISTWG recognizes the need to address health challenges to improved quality of life, economic growth, and trade across the APEC region, and the importance of S&T in responding to health challenges. Priority will be given to collaborative activities designed to respond to the economic and human challenges posed by select target diseases in the region – whether naturally occurring or deliberately caused -- such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, influenza, dengue hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis
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and a number of zoonotic enteric and other diseases. Emphasis will be given to the optimal use of electronic communication technologies and to the strengthening of existing regional training mechanisms, notably in laboratory technologies and field epidemiology. Close attention will be paid to existing global and regional intergovernmental disease control activities in order to ensure that APEC actions in that regard add value and synergy to activities currently under way. Analytic capacity of the economic impact of APEC cooperat ion in infectious disease prevention and control will be strengthened. ISTWG activities will draw upon the APEC Infectious Disease Strategy endorsed by leaders in 2001 and addressing six main areas for cooperative activity: electronic networking, surveillance, response, capacity building, cross-sector partnerships, and political and economic leadership.
Science, Technology and Innovation
Environmental challenges of the APEC region will be addressed through science, technology and innovation within a framework of sustainable industrial development. Initiatives will include cleaner production, environmental sustainability, natural disaster mitigation, climate change, resource productivity and conservation of biodiversity (except for conservation of plant and animal genetic resources in agriculture mentioned in the action program for agricultural technical cooperation).
Steps will be taken to implement the recommendations of the Cleaner Production Task Force. In particular, ISTWG will leverage the multiple new Cleaner Production promoting organizations that APEC helped to stimulate or reinforce and continue to implement the goals of the APEC Cleaner Production Strategy through dialogue and projects. ISTWG will also explore the possibility of ISTWG delegates carrying the cleaner production message and lessons learned to other multilateral organizations (e.g., UNEP/UNIDO, APRCP10) by actively participating in events as APEC representatives.
ISTWG will continue to encourage projects and share best-practices related to mitigation technologies for natural disasters (particularly earthquake, volcanic activity and weather-related phenomena).
Innovation initiatives will focus primarily on appropriate technology, methods and tools to enable SMEs
to adopt cleaner production practices. This will include cleaner supply chain management and incorporate appropriate application of advances in information technologies for design, communications, training and skills development. In this context, adoption of appropriate waste management methods will continue to be a priority with an emphasis on assisting APEC economies to improve water quality and urban air quality within a supportive legislative framework.
ISTWG member economies will exchange views and share knowledge and experience on Industrial Science and Technology -related issues, including their own IST policies and infrastructure, in order to advance the priorities of the ISTWG and its member economies.
The ISTWG will strengthen the dialogue on the industrial S&T policies of member economies in two specific ways. Firstly, the ISTWG will continue to include a policy dialogue on the S&T policies of member economies as a standard part of ISTWG plenary meetings. Secondly, the ISTWG will explore the organization of an annual APEC S&T Policy Forum which would bring together government, universities, and the private sector to discuss best practices and policy approaches to the S&T and innovation challenges facing the APEC region.
The ISTWG will continue to develop and strengthen indicators and statistics on the infrastructure, resources, and investments of member economies in IST and by industry sector which will assist the planning and implementation of cooperative activities.
10 United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO), Asia Pacific Roundtable on Cleaner Production (APRCP)
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The ISTWG will exchange information on the scientific and technological underpinnings and requirements of standards and regulations in order to promote and implement common standards across member economies in such areas as cleaner production, diseases surveillance, and environmental management. Collaboration and information sharing will be undertaken, as necessary, with the CTI Sub- Committee on Standards and Conformance, especially in regards to industrial standards systems and measurement laws.
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR MARINE RESOURCE CONSERVATION
The use of the marine environment is essential to the economic viability of the economies in the Asia- Pacific Region. Fisheries and aquaculture products are major trade commodities, tourism is increasing and demands a clean and attractive environment, and the diversity of marine organisms has significant potential for new fisheries sustainable development and other economic benefits.
Marine environmental degradation has significant socio-economic costs in terms of risks to human health, impacts on fisheries resources and aquaculture development, effects on resource management and regulatory activities. As populations grow and problems intensify, a highly trained workforce will be needed to ensure marine resource conservation and sustainable development.
Rehabilitation of the marine environment will enhance trade opportunities, and marine environmental quality and resource conservation are important areas for business involvement and technology development throughout the region.
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In light of the diversity of the marine resource conservation issues, dialogues will be promoted to share scientific and technical information in such areas as human resource development in management, monitoring, analysis and research among the APEC members , to identify and assess serious environmental issues, and to develop practical, action-oriented approaches to maintaining marine environmental quality, through:
Transportation Working Groups, to avoid duplication and create synergism of common interest;
if and as appropriate, to avoid duplication, to benefit from their experience, and to identify opportunities for complementary activities; and
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Action Program contributes to the formulation of the APEC Action Agenda by creating a program that pursues APEC objectives of relevance to SMEs. In the context of the overall APEC philosophy of trade liberalisation, facilitation and economic cooperation, the SME Action Program seeks to foster the objectives, as stated in the Bogor Declaration, of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region by no later than 2010 for industrialised economies and
2020 for developing economies, as well as economic and technical cooperation towards achieving sustainable growth in the region.
Role and Importance of SMEs
The Asia Pacific region is increasing its share of world trade – growing from 37% in 1983 to 44% in
1993. To a large extent, this reflects the rapid growth in intra-APEC trade. Between 1989 and 1993, the value of trade by APEC economies rose by about $US1 trillion, and almost 80 per cent of this increase was due to greater levels of trade between APEC members.
In order to secure sustainable economic growth, it is vital to promote the growth of a strong SME sector
in the APEC region.
SMEs provide a critical engine of growth, vitality and innovation in the region. They have the ability to respond flexibly to technological innovation, and the diverse and demanding nature of consumer needs. These qualities make building a strong SME sector of central importance in maintaining Asia-Pacific dynamism into the 21st century. Contingent upon enhanced competitiveness and the development of the necessary human resources, SMEs are well positioned to take advantage of the continuing liberalisation
of regional trade and investment, and become a driving force behind regional development.
The SME Action Program underlines the strong contribution of SMEs to economic activity within the
APEC region, particularly relating to intra-regional trade and investment.
SMEs make up well over 90% of all enterprises in the region, contribute between 30-60% of GDP, and are a source of about 35% of the region’s exports.
SMEs also play an important role in creating employment, covering between 32-84% of the employment
in individual APEC economies, and are major contributors to employment growth.
While SMEs are important across the APEC region, there are differences in the role of SMEs in the various economies. The SME Action Program seeks to utilize the diversity among SMEs to attain complementarities that will bring about more efficient production and greater employment opportunities, and be of mutual benefit to member economies.
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Members aim to maintain and develop SME dynamism by fostering a conducive environment in areas such as human resources development, information access, technology and technology sharing, financing, and market access, thus allowing SMEs to exploit their creativity and mobility to the greatest possible extent on the basis of market principles.
Our vision is of a dynamic and prosperous Asia-Pacific region built on:
to the demands of the international marketplace, globally focused, and interactive across regions, to the mutual understanding and benefit of all member economies;
SMEs are engaging dynamically in cross-border economic activity and playing an increasingly important role in heightening economic complementarities in the regional economy.
It is therefore important for member economies to develop a set of basic principles on desirable SME
policies, including the following:
SME policies to help improve the SME policies of other members.
Member economies recognise that SMEs have particular advantages, and face particular difficulties, in
an increasingly free and open trading environment. At the first APEC SME Ministerial meeting, held in Osaka, Japan, in October 1994, it was agreed that APEC’s role in support of SMEs should focus first on addressing the areas where SMEs face greatest difficulties.
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The SME Action Program addresses the common difficulties faced by SMEs in all APEC economies in the five priority areas of:
In order to address the issues identified within each of these priority areas, members have agreed to take cooperative action. The items for action have been prepared in the context of the recommendations
of the Second Experts Meeting on SMEs and work being conducted by other APEC Working Groups and Committees. The action items serve as a tool to focus on the specific steps to meet identified milestones in each of the priority areas and so achieve the vision for SMEs. We recognize that policies should focus not only on individual enterprises but also on groups of enterprises and cooperatives.
Human resources development (HRD) is the basis for the development of all enterprises. As SMEs become more involved in a global economy, it will be increasingly important for them to learn about and adapt to different cultures and business practices. The fostering of entrepreneurial high-quality managers and technicians from the limited resources available is therefore a top-priority issue.
Member economies will expand opportunities for the development of SME human resource capabilities
(i.e., entrepreneurship, business and managerial skills, technical capabilities, technology sharing, linguistic skills, understanding of different cultures, and knowledge of business practices and legal requirements in different markets) in the region by developing SME relevant training projects, as well as supporting the training conducted by SMEs themselves. Member economies will ensure that both women and men benefit from the development of SME human resources capabilities which are designed
in accordance with the new challenges and opportunities brought forward by the new economy.
By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of improved human resource capabilities, particularly in the areas of managerial and technical skills and technology sharing.
Member economies will take action in the area of HRD to enhance SME entrepreneurial, technical and managerial skills for both women and men. Action items agreed by member economies are:
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As information becomes an increasingly important global commodity, SMEs are finding that the success or failure of a project hinges on the collection, processing and utilization of relevant sex - disaggregated information.
Member economies will promote the development of user-friendly and efficient information access systems that allow SMEs (whether owned by women or men) to gather the information they need on government policies, technology, the market, potential business partners. There are two broad issues to consider: the role of governments as ni formation brokers facilitating access to information, and the development of and access to information technologies that are appropriate to the needs of women and men owned SMEs,
By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of improved information flows, particularly in the areas of government policies, technology, the market, and potential business partners. They will exploit developments in information technology, and have timely and improved access to the information that they need — information that is accurate, user-friendly, and
of high quality.
Member economies will take action in the area of information access to promote the development of user-friendly and efficient information access systems, and the dissemination of accurate and timely information that will meet SMEs’ needs, especially in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including Electronic Commerce, as envisaged in the e-APEC strategy. Action items agreed by member economies are:
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iv)
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To consider contributing to the further development of the BizApec.com
website.
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v)
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To coordinate with relevant APEC Fora including the APEC TELWG
and the
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Electronic
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Commerce Steering Group in expediting the on-going work on reducing the costs of access to the Internet.
Commerce Workshop’.
viii) To increase the supply of qualified small business counsellors by launching a ‘Training and
Certification Program for Small Business Counsellors’ across the APEC Region.
For the mobility and entrepreneurship of SMEs to fuel more effectively the economic dynamism of the region, SMEs themselves need to actively participate in development and commercialization of new products and technologies that will boost productivity. However, many SMEs experience problems in this area because they lack managerial capability and information on available technologies, have a limited number of technicians, and little financial leeway.
Member economies will foster the desire of SMEs to improve their own technological and managerial capabilities by:
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Moreover, in order to foster the region’s SMEs, member economies will work together to share policy know-how, and ensure constructive and practical guidance in improving matchmaking capabilities among firms interested in acquiring and/or sharing technology. In addition to APEC policy dialogue and network creation, this involves the strengthening of bilateral policy dialogue and cooperative projects.
By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of the adaptation of existing technologies and rapid take-up of new technologies, improved flows of technological information, and improved technical capabilities. The relationship between large companies and SMEs will be important in facilitating this development.
Member economies will take action in the area of technology and technology sharing to foster the desire
of SMEs to improve their own technological capabilities. Action items agreed by member economies are:
program and activities for the Center’s operation and sustainability as a resource centre with capabilities in: information networking; the mobilization of training opportunities for the absorption and upgrading of technical know-how; and the organization of SME-targeted activities
to syndicate technology transfer projects in the spirit of intra-regional cooperation and business internationalization.
SMEs do not generally have as much access to finance as large enterprises, and have inadequate information on the various sources and mechanisms to secure finance for their development in some member economies. Furthermore, there are still legal barriers to women’s access to financing and ownership of assets.
.
Member economies will work to improve the financing environment for SMEs and reduce SME financing costs.
By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of improved access, on reasonable terms, to debt and equity finance.
Member economies will take action in the area of financing to improve the financing environment for
SMEs and reduce SME financing costs. It is recognized that financing issues are critical concerns for
all SMEs, micro enterprises, family and women-owned business. Action items agreed by member economies are:
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database.
finances issues occurs.
Market access is critical to the globalization efforts of SMEs and their ability to take full advantage of the post-Bogor environment. It is also recognized that appropriate policy on encouraging the growth of SMEs plays significant on strengthening and functioning of markets.
Member economies will expand SME economic opportunities by further liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment to enable SMEs to fulfil their potential. SMEs need accurate and timely information on foreign markets, market opportunities, cultural and business practices, and regulations specific to these markets.
By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of being better able to identify and meet demands for goods and services across APEC economies, and having improved access to timely and quality information about market opportunities.
Member economies will take action in the area of market access to expand SME economic opportunities by further liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment to enable SMEs to fulfil their potential. Action items agreed by member economies are:
Management’; ‘APEC SME Profile 2000’; ‘APEC SME Business Matching and Advice Program’;
‘APEC SME Business Network Promotion Forum’; ‘2001 Business Partnership Initiative for
SMEs’; and ‘2001 Operational Environment of APEC SMEs after China’s Accession to WTO’.
To develop SMEs, APEC members recognize the importance of sharing their knowledge and experience
in regard to SME policies, cooperating (as appropriate) to enhance each member’s policies in the light of common policy concepts, and providing opportunities to implement cooperative projects for the fostering
of SMEs.
Policy dialogue between members has been promoted through SME Ministerial meetings and Small and
Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG).
Through such policy dialogue, the SME Action Program provides an ongoing consultative and practical approach to the commercial needs of the SME sector, an approach that is relevant to the needs of SMEs in the region.
The SME agenda cuts across many of the activities of APEC in its other working groups and committees. The SME Action Program has been prepared in the context of this work. It acknowledges and complements the initiatives of the other APEC working groups and committees.
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Acknowledging the work done by other international organizations in SME policy development and recognizing the need to avoid duplication and build on best practices, member economies will seek opportunities to exchange information with non-APEC fora.
Member economies recognize the importance of evaluating and reporting on the progress and results of the implementation of the individual action items in the SME Action Program. The SMEWG will therefore continue to monitor and review action items under the SME Action Program and its differential impacts
on women and men.
SME Ministers will meet from time to time, as necessary, to maintain the momentum of ongoing policy dialogue and to review progress under the SME Action Program.
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
Given the critical role of the telecommunications and information infrastructure in strengthening the multilateral trading system, enhancing trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, and intensifying development cooperation, the Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TELWG)
is making this sector a model in achieving these goals set by APEC Leaders at Bogor in 1994, and therefore has adopted the following Action Program.
In keeping with the Leaders’ instructions to ministers and officials to begin immediately to develop detailed proposals for implementing their decision, the APEC Ministers responsible for Telecommunications and Information industry gathered in Seoul Korea, in May, 1995 and adopted the following objectives and principles for the Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure:
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infrastructure.
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iii)
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To promote free and efficient flow of information.
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iv)
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To further the exchange and development of human resources.
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v)
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To encourage the creation of a policy and regulatory environment favorable
to the development of
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the Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure.
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a.
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APII Principles
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i)
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Encouraging member economies in the construction of domestic
telecommunications and
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information infrastructure based on their own reality.
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ii)
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Promoting a competition driven environment.
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iii)
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Encouraging business/private sector investment and participation.
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iv)
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Creating a flexible policy and regulatory framework.
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v)
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Intensifying cooperation among member economies.
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vi)
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Narrowing the infrastructure gap between the developed and the
industrializing economies.
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vii)
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Ensuring open and non-discriminatory access to public
telecommunications networks for all
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information providers and users in accordance with domestic laws and
regulations.
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viii)
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Ensuring universal provision of and access to public telecommunications
services.
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ix)
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Promoting diversity of content , including cultural and linguistic
diversity.
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x)
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Ensuring the protection of intellectual property rights, privacy and data
security.
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a.
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Priorities
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i)
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The Ministers responsible for Telecommunications and Information directed
the Working Group
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to develop plans to improve the information infrastructure with
the aim of facilitating effective
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cooperation, free trade and investment, and sustainable development of the
region.
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ii)
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The ministers directed that the TELWG expedite work in three areas:
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– trade in International Value-Added Network Services (IVANs);
– harmonisation of Procedures for Equipment Certification;
– mutual Recognition Arrangements for Conformity Assessment.
– promote better understanding of the telecommunications and information infrastructure and regulatory environment through data compilation activities.
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– facilitate increased trade flows through electronic commerce.
– promote the rapid construction of the Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure.
– promote human resources development through a series of training courses applicable to all
APEC member economies.
Economies, through the TELWG, and through their own actions, will implement the Action Plan and policy principles approved by the four APEC Ministerial Meetings on Telecommunications and Information Industry.
Specifically, the economies will undertake the following:
Development and implementation of plans (issue-specific guidelines) for the telecommunications information sector to achieve the Bogor objectives of trade and investment liberalisation and trade and investment facilitation. They will:
Assessment for Telecommunications Equipment (MRA).
The following TELWG projects and activities support these objectives:
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•
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Interconnection Task Group.
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•
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Internet Issues Task Group.
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•
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MRA Task Group.
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•
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Regulatory Structures Project.
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•
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LSG Collective Action Plan.
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•
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Convergence Roundtable.
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•
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MRA Support Project.
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•
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MRA Management System.
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I.
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Business facilitation
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infrastructure development in each APEC economy in order to improve business/private sector access to related policies, regulations and other information.
The following TELWG projects and activities support these objectives:
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I. Deve lopment Cooperation
iii) Encourage the testing and dissemination of new technologies to achieve the APII. The following TELWG projects and activities support these objectives:
I. Human Resource Development Acti vities
of APII action plan.
The following TELWG projects and activities support these objectives:
The TELWG has engaged in dialogues on member economies’ policies and activities since its inception
in 1990. Since 1991, the working group has issued a series of publications on the state of members’ telecommunications infrastructure and regulatory environment. At the TELWG meetings, members supplement these periodic publications with six-month regulatory updates, which are included in the Chairman’s report.
Interconnection has been identified as an important policy issue about which member economies will exchange information. The information will be included in the TELWG’s six-monthly regulatory policy updates and in the published volumes on the state of APEC member economies. In-depth discussion of this and other policy issues, such as universal service, are planned for the near-term.
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR TOURISM
Given the growing importance of the tourism industry in promoting economic growth and social development in the Asia Pacific region, the Tourism Working Group (TWG) has developed an action program which has as its focus the long term environmental and social sustainability of the industry. It requires that APEC member economies give serious attention to addressing the impediments to tourism movements and investment, and the liberalisation of trade in services associated with travel and tourism.
Consistent with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Declaration of Common Resolve from Bogor, Indonesia, the TWG is committed to working towards:
The APEC TWG’s joint activities, as agreed in the Seoul Declaration on an APEC Tourism Charter at the First APEC Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in July 2000, will include the following items:
Tourism. It seeks to protect the social integrity of host communities with particular attention
to the implications of gender in the management and development of tourism In addition, the
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projects, ‘Training for Sustainable Development in the Tourism Industry’ and ‘Public-Private
Partnership for Sustainable Tourism’, will contribute to the achievement of this goal.
Social Development
‘Best Practices on Development of Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSAs)’; the development of an ‘APEC Tourism Information Network’ and an ‘APEC Tourism Research Network’. Work will also be undertaken, through a survey, to gauge each Economy’s position in relation to the development of TSAs and to help in determining the hurdles to wider implementation of TSAs.
Tourism (IAP).
iii) Pursuance of the three deliverables approved by APEC Tourism Ministers in July 2000 –
‘Sustainable Management of Tourism Outcomes’, ‘Establishment of a Tourism
Information Network’ and the ‘Tourism Satellite Accounts’.
iv) Commencement of a number of other projects which will contribute to tourism development in the APEC region.
In its activities the TWG is mindful that there are a number of other organizations working to encourage tourism development in the region, including: the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); the World Tourism Organisation (WTO); the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC); the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); and is, therefore, committed to working cooperatively with them to avoid duplication of efforts. The TWG is also committed to working cooperatively with other APEC working groups where areas of interest impact on tourism development.
Through its policies and activities, the TWG will endeavour:
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR TRADE PROMOTION
To contribute to the sustained economic development and improved standards of living of all the people
of the Asia Pacific region, the APEC Working Group on Trade Promotion (WGTP) agrees to promote the dynamism of intra-regional trade through the activities outlined in this action program.
The sustainable development and improved standards of living in the region is the responsibility of all member economies.
Many problems associated with trade promotion related issues are common to all APEC members. There is a common benefit in sharing experiences relating to the resolution of these issues.
Member economies will ensure that the activities of WGTP are fully consistent with all the provisions as well as the spirit of the GATT/WTO Agreement.
While ensuring mutual respect by recognizing the divergent conditions of member economies, all member economies will equally participate in and benefit from the promotion of intra-regional trade.
The WGTP will work to expand and improve the content of its activities to include gender issues and to achieve tangible results, making positive efforts in new areas such as creating a trade-friendly environment.
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The following activities will be conducted on a regular basis over the short to medium-term:
The following events will be held on a regular basis over the short to medium-term:
The following activities will be conducted over the short to medium term:
Launched in 1998, APECNet features business matching services and two-way hyperlinks to the trade promotion organizations of member economies. Future enhancements will include tender announcements, franchise opportunities, joint ventures, directory of APEC trade shows and facilitating strategic alliances at the corporate level. Efforts will be made to promote the site to business/private sector. Meanwhile, in order to develop a trade-friendly environment, the Working Group will encourage the business/private sector to use BizAPEC website to get information on trade environment in each economy.
The surveys on the core characteristics of trade promotion organizations have been conducted to promote a mutual understanding among member economies, on the roles, functions, and activities of trade agencies in the APEC region.
In order to develop a trade-friendly environment, the Working Group will encourage the business/private sector to use BizAPEC website to get information on trade environment in each economy.
The following activities will be conducted over the short to medium-term:
To address the needs and concerns of the business/private sector, including SMEs, in the face of globalization and e-commerce development, close consultation with business/private sector representatives will be maintained in the process of devising and implementing WGTP work projects. Furthermore, the key participants and beneficiaries of the WGTP projects of events, besides government officials, will continue to be people from the business/private sector. A joint video-conference of government and business/private sector representatives will be held in conjunction with WGTP meeting(s) as and when necessary, in order to ensure that the experience and expertise of the business/private sector are reflected in the WGTP’s activities.
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The role of the APEC WGTP meetings is to allow members to exchange views on the trade promotion measures which each is applying, thus promoting common understanding among Members. The expertise and experience of Members’ industrial and business/private sectors and trade promotion organization will be reflected in these discussions and put to use in future activi ties.
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ACTION PROGRAM FOR TRANSPORTATION
Transportation plays an important role in the economic and social well being of each economy in the APEC region. The ability of a transportation system to efficiently handle the movement of people and goods is critical in order to maximise economic productivity, facilitate trade, and contribute to the mobility of people. The APEC Transportation Working Group (TPTWG) is committed to achieving the goals set by the APEC Leaders at Bogor, Indonesia, in 1994 for the transport sector.
APEC economies are striving, through economic co-operation, to enhance the prospects of an accelerated, balanced and equitable economic growth in the Asia- Pacific region and throughout the world as well. A strategic, coherent and comprehensive approach is required, embracing the three pillars
of sustainable growth, equitable development and economic stability, as stated in the Bogor Declaration.
The development of the transportation sector in the APEC region should promote equitable economic development in the APEC region to help people of all economies in the region share the benefits of economic growth.
The action program is prepared as a means of organising the activities in the transport sector to be undertaken in accelerating the process of intensifying development co-operation and enhancing trade and investment liberalisation in the Asia-Pacific region.
As a result of recommendations made by the APEC Ministers and endorsed by Leaders in their meeting
in November 1994 in Indonesia, APEC Ministers in charge of Transportation met in Washington, DC, USA, in June, 1995 and adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement . That statement, together with the statement arising from the second meeting of Transportation Ministers in Victoria, BC, Canada, in June
1997, as well as the Transportation Working Group Strategic Direction adopted in November 1999, provide the basis on which the objectives, principles, and priorities for transportation for the Asia-Pacific region are drawn.
The current priorities of the Transportation Working Group, expressed by Transportation Ministers, are:
Member economies, through the TPTWG, and through their own actions, will implement a range of actions aimed at achieving in the most concrete and ambitious way the priorities identified by Ministers and adopted in the Transportation Joint Ministerial Statements of 1995, 1997 and 2002. The TPTWG will also continue with projects started by the group and develop new projects that accord with Ministers statements and its strategic direction as required.
Specifically, the economies will undertake the following:
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2005;
ITS technology and standards ;
Additional actions will be developed and implement ed by the TPTWG to continually update its efforts to achieve the objectives established in the Bogor Declaration, APEC Leaders and Ministers Statements, Transportation Ministers’ Joint Ministerial Statements, and the group’s Strategic Direction.
The Transportation Working Group has engaged in dialogue on member economies’ transportation policies and activities since its establishment in 1992. During each plenary session of the TPTWG, economies provide information on recent developments in their respective transport sectors. Economies are urged to voluntarily report the transport elements of their economies Individual Action Plans, and a link exists between the TPTWG Website and the IAPs on the APEC Secretariat Website.
The TPTWG, in conjunction with its regular meetings, conducts appropriate seminars as a forum of dialogue among member economies, including both the public and business/private sectors, on specific transportation issues aimed at identifying problems and opportunities. The TPTWG has also sought guest participation from international organisations and industry associations in the transport sector.
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The APEC Transportation Ministers at their first meeting in Washington, DC, USA, stressed the need to continue a dialogue among themselves to further promote mutual understanding of transportation issues
of common interest and ensure the implementation of the identified priorities for co-operation and action. Similarly in 1997, they instructed the TPTWG to increase business/private sector participation as well
as involve ABAC and PECC and give careful consideration to their recommendations on transport issues. At the 3rd Transportation Ministerial Meeting, the program provided an opportunity for industry representatives from all sectors of the transportation industry to interact directly with Ministers.
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