Transportation ministers (TMs) who attended the recent 9th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Transportation Ministerial Meeting (TMM) held in Cebu urged member economies to improve further the safety and security of their transportation networks by complying with international standards and collaborating with the public and private sectors.
In a joint statement concluding the 9th APEC TMM, the ministers reaffirmed that enhancing transportation safety and security networks in the APEC region “must remain among the highest priorities of the TPTWG (APEC Transportation Technical Working Group).”
“Both are fundamental elements in a viable transportation system that is able to facilitate the effective movement of passengers and goods,” APEC TMs noted.
For this, the ministers instructed the TPTWG to continue collaboration with both public and private sectors from different transportation industries, as well as with other APEC fora and international organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO).
By doing this, the TMs said, TPTWG can “address any gaps or needs in safety and security, and improve, through capacity building, member economies’ governance, compliance and services in these aspects, while also taking into consideration the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of operations.”
The TMs stressed that adhering to international safety and security measures for all modes of transport standards should be a priority.
“These standards must be complementary and aligned to ensure safety and security objectives are pursued in the most efficient way and without compromise on facilitation to movement of passengers and goods,” TMs said.
Specifically stressing aviation and maritime safety and security, the group of TMs urges economies to ensure their aviation and maritime security frameworks comply with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices in Annex 17 (Security) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and Part A of the IMO International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (Chapter XI-2, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea).
The group also appeals to economies to make their aviation safety frameworks compliant with the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices in ICAO Annexes 1, 6, and 8. TMs pointed to the ICAO direction on the need for civil aviation authorities to ensure they have fully qualified and trained inspectors through providing service conditions and remuneration consistent with their education, technical knowledge, and experience.
APEC economies are being pushed to utilize the latest transportation security technology and give high priority to comprehensive trainings for transportation security personnel.
In support of relevant international agreements, economies are asked to implement more awareness activities on road safety to reduce road deaths and serious injuries.
“We instruct the TPTWG to continue to share information on economies’ road safety strategies and targets, and maintain coordination with other relevant APEC sub-fora, the International Transport Forum, the Asian Development Bank and other organizations dealing with road and rail safety,” TMs said.
Economies are likewise enjoined to share best practices and research on road safety policies and programs.
Meanwhile, TMs noted the accomplishments of the APEC Port Services Network (APSN) since its inception in 2008 in facilitating cooperation and communication amongst ports and related sectors in the APEC region.
“We reaffirm the importance of APSN initiatives, such as the conduct of workshops on ports and supply chain connectivity, one of which will be held on 10-11 November 2015 in Cebu, and a study on APEC Gateway Port Connectivity, in strengthening comprehensive connectivity in the APEC port and related industries,” TMs said, urging economies to continue their active participation in the APSN campaign to strengthen regional economic integration.
The group likewise welcomed the progress in initiatives on Promoting Cruise Visits to Ports in the APEC Region and Exploration on Strengthening of Maritime Connectivity. It instructed the TPTWG to undertake further work on these initiatives.
Meanwhile, the group recognized that “an open and liberal international aviation regime and developed international air services are essential to continued economic growth and trade facilitation in the APEC region.” As such it encouraged a more active pursuit of market access liberalization using bilateral and multilateral agreements such as the Multilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of International Air Transportation, and exploring additional avenues in line with ICAO’s long-term vision to liberalize international air transport.
The TMs lauded the progress made by economies to develop and liberalize intra-APEC aviation markets according to their respective situations and requirements, and recommend that they continue their work based on the spirit of APEC cooperation.
Based on the core principles of best practices in the economic treatment of international business aviation operations as developed by the TPTWG, the trade minister recommend that economies continue to facilitate the more seamless operation of business and general aviation across the APEC region.
“Such operations can connect major Asia-Pacific centers of trade in an unprecedented, time-saving manner. Increased compatibility among economies in their regulatory treatment of this sector may serve to open the door to more opportunities for global commerce,” TMs explained.
It noted the results of the APEC Air Traffic Management Emissions Reduction Study/Project, and encourages TPTWG to continue conducting efforts and projects to assist member economies in analyzing airspace capacity and developing methods to increase capacity of both en route and terminal operations, while still maintaining safety levels.
“We recognize that Under ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), efforts continue on an aircraft CO2 standard and an agreement is expected in February 2016,” TMs said.
The group said economies should continue to explore ways to facilitate safety improvements for heavy vehicles, including overmass and oversize vehicles, to promote transport supply chain connectivity. – Roumina Pablo
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