APEC Transportation Ministers pledge safe, secure, seamless, and sustainable transportation, issue joint statement

APEC Transportation Ministers pledged on Wednesday to continue working towards a safe, secure, seamless, and sustainable transportation system at the 7th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, California.

Ministers discussed the efficient and safe transportation of people and goods given that it is a key component for free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. The promotion of trade involves improving the procedures regulating the international movements of goods as they impact on costs, apart from reductions in tariffs.

While Ministers recognized the transportation sector’s immense contributions to economic development, they also agreed safety and security are critically important aspects.  

They also discussed the importance of and ways for encouraging women to work in transportation.

At the conclusion of the ministerial meeting, a joint ministerial statement was issued. It covers:

• Promoting Green Growth and Innovation in Transportation
• Enhancing Regulatory Cooperation
• Strengthening Regional Economic Integration

Some of the actions pledged by the ministers include:

• Promoting energy efficient transport, and directed the APEC Transportation Working Group to give priority to developing and promoting fuel efficient transport practices, including the use of alternative fuels as well as the development of corresponding energy efficient transport infrastructure.
• Protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable, long-term growth in the region.
• Enhancing cooperative efforts to align domestic standards to relevant international standards where possible by focusing on concrete results to improve regulatory outcomes consistent with international obligations and with good regulatory practice.
• Urging economies to comply with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization, and instructing the APEC Transportation Working Group to collaborate with these organizations in the areas of security, safety and the environment where appropriate.

The full statement can be accessed here.

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For more information, contact:  Ai Ghee Ong (in Singapore) +65 6891 9671 at [email protected] or Michael Chapnick (in San Francisco) +1 (202) 664 6245 at [email protected].

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