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2014 APEC Ministerial Meeting

Joint Ministerial Statement

Forward

  1. 1.               We, the        Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers, met on 7-8 November 2014, in        Beijing, China. The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign        Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and H.E. Gao Hucheng, Minister of        Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

  2. 2.               We assembled        under the theme of “Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership”, and        focused on three priority areas, Advancing Regional Economic Integration,        Promoting Innovative Development, Economic Reform and Growth, and Strengthening        Comprehensive Connectivity and Infrastructure Development. We held substantial        discussions on the economic situation in the region, the changing global and        regional landscape, the challenges and opportunities for APEC member economies,        and the vision for APEC cooperation.
  3. 3.               We are        committed to taking concrete steps and joint actions to foster Asia-Pacific        partnership, strengthen the role of APEC, and contribute to the long-term        development and common prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, with the goal of        ensuring the role of the Asia-Pacific region as the engine for global economic        growth.
  4. 4.               We welcome the        participation in the meeting of the Director General of the WTO, the Chair of        the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), the Deputy Secretary General of        ASEAN, the co-chairs of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), and the        representative of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
  5. 5.               We pledge to take the following        actions:

Advancing Regional Economic        Integration

  1. 6.               We endorse the        2014 APEC Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) Annual Report to        Ministers.

Supporting the        Multilateral Trading System

  1. 7.               We reaffirm        our confidence in the value of the multilateral trading system and stand firmly        to strengthen the rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and        inclusive multilateral trading system as embodied in the        WTO.
  2. 8.               We highly        commend the Bali Package achieved at the 9th Ministerial Conference (MC9) in        Bali, Indonesia. We express our grave concern regarding the impasse in the        implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) which has resulted in        stalemate and uncertainties over other Bali decisions. These developments have        affected the credibility of the WTO negotiating function. In finding solutions        to the implementation of the Bali decisions, APEC will exert creative leadership        and energy together with all WTO members in unlocking this impasse, putting all        Bali decisions back on track, and proceeding with the formulation of Post-Bali        Work Program, as a key stepping stone to concluding the Doha        Round.
  3. 9.               Bearing in        mind that open markets are vital for economic growth, job creation and        sustainable development, we reaffirm our commitment and recommend that our        Leaders extend a standstill until the end of 2018, and roll back protectionist        and trade-distorting measures. We remain committed to exercising maximum        restraint in implementing measures that may be consistent with WTO provisions        but have a significant protectionist effect，and        to promptly rectifying such measures, where implemented. In this context, we        support the work of the WTO and other international organizations in monitoring        protectionism.
  4. 10.           We recognize        that bilateral, regional and plurilateral trade agreements can play an important        role in complementing global liberalization initiatives. We will continue to        work together to ensure that they contribute to strengthening the multilateral        trading system. We underscore the importance of the negotiations to expand the        product coverage of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). A final ITA        expansion outcome should be commercially significant, credible, pragmatic,        balanced, and reflective of the dynamic technological developments in the        information technology sector over the last 17 years, and contribute to the        multilateral trading system. We welcome APEC’s leadership in advancing the        negotiations.  We welcome the launch        of negotiations on Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) in July 2014 in Geneva.        We encourage participants of the above initiatives to seek expanded        memberships.

Free Trade        Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP)

  1. 11.           In order to        translate the FTAAP from a vision to reality, we agree to kick off and advance the process in a comprehensive and systematic manner towards the        eventual realization of the FTAAP. We adopt        the Beijing Roadmap for APEC’s Contribution to the Realization of the        FTAAP which demonstrates APEC’s leadership        and commitment to regional economic integration and provides a pragmatic guide        to advance work towards the FTAAP in a step-by-step approach, with the goal of establishing the FTAAP as        early as possible by building on ongoing regional undertakings. We instruct officials        to undertake the actions identified in the roadmap while pursuing the conclusion        of initiatives considered as potential building blocks of the FTAAP.
  2. 12.           We        agree to launch a collective strategic study on issues related to the        realization of the FTAAP and adopt the Outline of this Study. This study        will be built on previous analytical work in APEC, and aim to analyze a wide        range of options for expanding Asia-Pacific trade and investmentwith        contributions and support from ABAC, PECC and APEC Study Centers. We instruct        the CTI Friends of the Chair Group on Strengthening REI and Advancing FTAAP to        organize and lead a task force to undertake the study and report the result to        us by the end of 2016.
  3. 13.           We welcome the        establishment of an APEC Information Sharing Mechanism on RTAs/FTAs,        and        encourage officials to advance work under this mechanism and to report        back to us in 2015. We        welcome the progress achieved under the Action Plan Framework on Capacity        Building Needs Initiatives (CBNI) and endorse the Action Plan Framework of the        2nd CBNI. We instruct Senior Officials to take steps to ensure the        effective implementation of the 2nd CBNI.

Bogor        Goals

  1. 14.           In 1994, APEC Leaders announced        the commitment to achieve the goal of free and open trade and investment in the        Asia-Pacific, with APEC’s industrialized economies        to achieve the goal by 2010 and        developing economies by 2020.Today, as we        gather in Beijing, we remain        committed to this core mission. We commit to upholding APEC’s role towards        achieving the Bogor Goals by 2020. We urge all economies, particularly developed        economies, to deeply consider the outcomes of the Report on APEC’s 2010        Economies’ Progress towards the Bogor Goals and the 2012 and 2014 Bogor Goals        Progress Reports, and to take more concrete actions towards attaining the Bogor        Goals.
  2. 15.           We take note        on the progress of the study on promoting trade in products which contribute to        sustainable and inclusive growth through rural development and poverty        alleviation. We look forward to the final report by early        2015.

Global Value        Chain (GVC)

  1. 16.           Recognizing        that Global Value Chains (GVCs) have become a dominant feature of the global        economy involving economies at varying levels of development, we agree to take        concrete actions to create an enabling environment for GVC development and        cooperation while taking into account the different economic circumstances of        APEC economies. In this regard, we endorse the APEC Strategic Blueprint for        Promoting Global Value Chain Development and Cooperation as a mechanism to        strengthen mutual economic cooperation within the global value chain network,        and shape a resilient and inclusive future for economic growth through a        stronger and closer Asia-Pacific partnership. We welcome the progress made so        far, and instruct officials to advance the work through the        CTI        Friends of the Chair Group on GVCs to put        forward new initiatives under this Strategic Blueprint for 2015 and beyond by        working closely with related international organizations.
  2. 17.           We note a        proposal to study localization policies in the context of GVCs, and discuss        possible ways through which economies can promote job creation and        competitiveness.
  3. 18.           We endorse        the Strategic Framework on Measurement of APEC Trade in Value Added (TiVA)        under GVCs and the Action Plan on this Strategic Framework. We instruct the        newly-established technical group to work closely with related international        organizations, with an aim to complete the construction of the APEC TiVA        Database by 2018.
  4. 19.           We endorse the        initiative on Promoting SME’s Integration into Global Value Chains in Major        Industries. We welcome the voluntary participation of leading        economies        in        the key industrial sectors. We encourage APEC economies to make concerted        efforts to bring concrete policy recommendations that can facilitate SME’s        integration into GVCs.
  5. 20.           We welcome the        completion of the APEC Policy Support Unit (PSU) study on Comprehensive Analysis        on Enhanced Resiliency of Cross-Border Value Chains, and instruct officials to        make a collaborative effort to enhance cross-border value chain resilience,        including business continuity, in the region, building on the PSU        study.

Supply Chain        Connectivity

  1. 21.           We welcome the        comprehensive Capacity Building Plan to improve supply chain performance, and        encourage economies to include new projects in 2015. This living document will        guide our work to i) reach our Leaders’ goal of achieving a ten percent        improvement in supply chain performance by 2015; ii) deploy the resources in the        Supply Chain Connectivity Sub-Fund; and iii) help developing economies overcome        supply-chain obstacles and implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. We        welcome the diagnostic reports on eight chokepoints of the Supply Chain        Framework Action Plan (SCFAP), which will guide our current and future targeted        capacity building and technical assistance projects. We also welcome the        establishment of the APEC Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2) and look        forward to its contributions to our capacity building work next        year.
  2. 22.           Recognizing        the importance of promoting supply chain connectivity through E-port development        and collaboration efforts, we endorse the APEC Initiative on Asia-Pacific        Model E-port Network and the Terms of Reference of the Asia-Pacific Model        E-port Network (APMEN), serving as a brain trust to        promote E-port development and cooperation under the principles of mutual        benefits and respect. We applaud the nominations from Australia; Canada; China;        Hong Kong, China; Mexico; Peru; Chinese Taipei; and Viet Nam of the first batch        of APEC Model E-ports to join the APMEN. We agree to set up the APMEN        operational center in Shanghai Model E-port, and instruct officials to advance        the APMEN cooperation.
  3. 23.           We positively        value the APEC High-Level Roundtable on Green Development held in Tianjin, China        in May 2014 and its output, the Declaration of APEC High-Level        Roundtable on Green Development. We agree to establish the APEC Cooperation        Network on Green Supply Chain to strengthen the capacity building and        information sharing on green supply chain and to promote green supply chain        cooperation among APEC economies and stakeholders, and to contribute to the        green development of the region. We endorse the establishment of the first pilot        center of the APEC Cooperation Network on Green Development        held in Tianjin, China.
  4. 24.           Recognising        that the wider use of interoperable Global        Data        Standards        (GDS)        can bring about broader benefits of efficiency, integrity, visibility and        innovation, we encourage officials to further advance their work on GDS,        including developing pilot projects, conducting a study and establishing a set        of policy-based principles or recommendations for future GDS        initiatives. We endorse        the APEC Statement on Promoting The Use Of Interoperable Global Data Standards        (Annex A ).
  5. 25.           We endorse the        project proposals on Capacity Building and Technical Assistance to Implement        Programs on Pre-Arrival Processing, Expedited Shipments, Release of Goods,        Advance Rulings, and Electronic Payments, the implementation of which will        substantially help us achieve our objective of a 10% improvement in supply chain        performance by 2015, help us implement the future WTO Trade Facilitation        Agreement commitments and to further our trade facilitation        objectives.

Next        Generation Trade and Investment Issues

  1. 26.           We welcome the        case studies to identify manufacturing related services in supply chains/value        chains as a next generation trade and investment issue, and instruct officials        to develop a plan of action in 2015, with the contribution by the PSU and        possible input from ABAC and PECC.

Environmental        Goods and Services

  1. 27.           Implementation        of our groundbreaking commitment to reduce tariffs on environmental goods by the        end of 2015 is critical to achieve both economic and environmental benefits. We        call on officials to submit implementation plans by the 2015 Ministers        Responsible for Trade Meeting, in line with the Leaders’ commitment in 2012. We        welcome the work this year on capacity building on implementation of        Environmental Goods commitment and the first meeting of the APEC Public Private        Partnership on Environmental Goods and Services (PPEGS) on renewable and clean        energy trade and investment. We endorse the APEC Statement on Promoting        Renewable and Clean Energy (RCE) Trade and Investment (Annex B), and        commit to create an enabling environment for RCE trade and investment.  We also welcome the        endorsement of the initiative on liberalization, facilitation and        cooperation of environmental services, and instruct officials to develop a plan        of action by the next AMM in 2015.

Customs

  1. 28.           We note the        unique role of Customs in facilitating trade and endorse the APEC Customs 3M        Strategic Framework (Annex        C). We also        reaffirm our commitment to further simplify and harmonize customs procedures in        line with relevant international standards, including those developed by the        World Customs Organization (WCO). We encourage        full implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement by customs        administrations in APEC economies.
  2. 29.           We welcome the        progress in formulating the Guidelines for APEC Customs Transit to enhance        harmonization among APEC Customs administrations and expect effective        implementation and evaluation in the following stages. We recognize the        continued efforts in promoting interoperability of various Single Window systems        and in researching on the benefits of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)        system throughout the APEC region for the further improvement of supply chain        performance. We welcome the customs initiative to suppress illegal transactions        through cross-border e-commerce and support the collaboration with the business        to better manage the potential risk at border and facilitate legitimate trade.        We welcome the continued voluntary Customs enforcement operation of Intellectual        Property Rights (IPR) protection to combat infringements and relevant capacity        building programs that can enhance trade order.

Intellectual        Property Rights (IPRs)

  1. 30.           We reaffirm        that IPR provide incentives that encourage creativity and innovation and renew        our commitment to enhance the protection and enforcement of IPR, including trade        secrets.

Services

  1. 31.           We welcome        continued work to increase transparency of services trade-related regulations as        well as the efforts        to facilitate services trade and investment, and foster the development of open        services markets. We take note        of the proposal to update information in the Services Trade Access Requirements        (STAR) database and expand it to cover all 21 economies in each of the eight        services sectors. We encourage further engagement between the public and private        sectors to address impediments to and facilitate services trade growth,        including through conducting public-private dialogues in the        future.

Investment

  1. 32.           We endorse the Action Agenda        on Promoting Infrastructure Investment through Public-Private Partnership (Annex        D). We instruct officials to strengthen cooperation on PPP to promote more        robust infrastructure investment and development in the APEC region.
  2. 33.           We welcome the        work on Case Studies on Sustainable Investment in the APEC Region, and welcome        the cases nominated by APEC economies and encourage APEC economies to consider        experience from the good cases to promote sustainable investment and inclusive        growth in the APEC region.
  3. 34.           We welcome the        initiative to develop the Guidebook on PPP Framework in APEC Region as an        implementation of Multi-Year Plan on Infrastructure Development and Investment        (MYPIDI). We encourage APEC economies to continue working on the guidebook in        2015.

Industry        Dialogues

  1. 35.           We endorse the        Asia-Pacific Region Automotive Industry Sustainable Development Declaration        submitted by the Automotive Dialogue (AD), and welcome the outcomes of the 2014        APEC Regulatory Cooperation Advancement Mechanism (ARCAM) Dialogue on Electric        Vehicle Standards. We endorse the new APEC Actions to Promote Widespread Usage        of Electric Vehicles, and we instruct officials to draft a roadmap for Electric        Vehicles in 2015.
  2. 36.           We welcome the        expansion of the APEC Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) System to include        additional participating member economies and numerous certified companies. We        commend the endorsement of a common referential to enhance interoperability        between the European Union (EU) Binding Corporate Rules and APEC CBPR System. We        welcome additional member economies’ participation in the system and look        forward to enhancing privacy collaboration in the context of cross border data        flows between the EU and APEC based on the referential.
  3. 37.           We endorse the        APEC Cross Border E-Commerce Innovation and Development Initiative to        promote the application and development of cross-border e-commerce in the APEC        region and facilitate SMEs’ participation in global trade. We encourage        economies to designate or establish Research Centers of Cross-border E-commerce        Innovation and Development on a voluntary basis. We welcome the initiatives to        foster an enabling environment for E-Commerce development.
  4. 38.           We        support efforts to foster more effective advertising regulation and standards to        promote advertising, and        endorse the        APEC Action Agenda on Advertising Standards and encourage economies to undertake        efforts to implement its recommendations in 2015.
  5. 39.           We welcome the        initiative of the Life Sciences Innovation Forum (LSIF) to build awareness of        and capacity for implementation of common product data standards along the        supply chain and to promote efficient GVCs in the health and life sciences        sectors. We also note the progress made on establishing a center of excellence        for regulatory sciences focusing on Multi-Regional Clinical Trials (MRCT) and on        establishing a training center. We encourage research and development on        effective and safe use of Traditional and Complimentary Alternative Medicines        (TCAM). 
  6. 40.           We welcome        the work being undertaken by the Chemical Dialogue to reduce barriers to trade        in the chemical sector. We instruct officials to identify        tangible means to advance these efforts, to address        barriers to trade and encourage good regulatory practices, including through a        renewed focus on implementation of the Best Practice Principles for Chemicals        Regulation. We look forward to        report outcomes and next steps in 2015 on innovative solutions on marine debris.        We welcome        the annual Globally Harmonized        System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)        implementation report.
  7. 41.           To increase        wine production, to expand trade, and to create jobs in the region, we commit to        eliminating        unnecessary export certification for wine by 2018and instruct        officials to advance this        work.
  8. 42.           We reaffirm        our commitment to the Manila Framework which serves as the basis for the        implementation of economic and technical cooperation activities outlined in the        Osaka Action Agenda, and recognize the vital role of effective and targeted        capacity building programs in supporting trade and investment liberalization and        facilitation.
  9. 43.           We endorse the        APEC Strategic Plan on Capacity Building to Promote Trade and Investment        Agenda (Annex E) which adopts a strategic, goal-oriented, multi-year        approach to capacity building. We        encourage officials to develop more tailor-made capacity building programs to        contribute to the core trade and investment agenda of        APEC.

Promoting        Innovative Development, Economic Reform and Growth

  1. 44.           We recognize        it is imperative to garner benefit from the complementary and mutually        reinforcing relationship between innovation, reform and growth. We are therefore        determined to seize the opportunities, overcome the challenges and pursue new        drivers for development and new growth areas. We endorse the APEC Accord on        Promoting Innovative Development, Economic Reform and Growth, and submit it        to the Leaders for adoption.

Economic        Reform

  1. 45.           We welcome the        continued progress of APEC economies in implementing the APEC New Strategy on        Structural Reform (ANSSR). We agree to take more effective steps to advance the        APEC Structural Reform agenda in 2015 and beyond, including convening the 2nd        APEC Ministerial Meeting on Structural Reform in 2015, with a view to giving        strategic direction to a post-ANSSR structural reform framework for APEC.       
  2. 46.           We recognize        that many APEC member economies are facing the challenge of the Middle-Income        Trap (MIT). We agree that APEC should make contribution to help overcome the        MIT. We instruct the Economic Committee (EC) to continue its work on the MIT,        especially, in the context of the 2nd APEC Ministerial Meeting on Structural        Reform. We encourage APEC members to share experiences and provide capacity        building in order to assist economies overcome the MIT through structural        reform.
  3. 47.           We note the        stocktaking program on Ease of Doing Business (EODB), and encourage further work        by economies on the future directions of EODB work after 2015.       
  4. 48.           We        welcome the joint        efforts of the EC and the Asia Pacific Regional Office of the Hague Conference        on Private International Law (HCCH), as well as other private international law        organizations such as the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) to        build awareness of private international law instruments to facilitate        cross-border trade and investment, enhance ease of doing business, and foster        effective enforcement of contracts and efficient settlement of business        disputes.
  5. 49.           We endorse the        2014 APEC Economic Policy Report (AEPR) on Good Regulatory Practice, and agree        on the selection of Structural Reform and Innovation as the topic for the 2015        AEPR. We instruct officials starting in 2014 to host the APEC Conference on Good        Regulatory Practices once a year, rather than biennially, with the Sub-Committee        on Standards and Conformance and the Economic Committee alternating hosting        duties.  We instruct officials to        study economies’ implementation of the new APEC Actions on Public Consultations        on Proposed Regulations in the Internet Era in the 2015 update to the Baseline        Study on Good Regulatory Practices in APEC Economies. We encourage economies to        provide innovative capacity building approaches to the implementation of good        regulatory practices and the use of regulatory tools.

Internet        Economy

  1. 50.           We recognize        that the Internet Economy is an effective driver of economic reform, innovation        and sustainable growth. We commit to make APEC play a constructive role in        promoting the Internet Economy. We welcome the outcomes of the Multi-Stakeholder        Dialogue on APEC Cooperation on the Internet Economy. We welcome the        establishment of an Ad Hoc Steering Group to guide the discussion on issues        arising from the Internet Economy. In this regard, we endorse the APEC        Initiative of Cooperation to Promote Internet Economy (Annex F). We welcome        work to identify indicators for APEC’s information society, to improve        understanding among economies of policies that promote economic benefits from        the information economy.
  2. 51.           We agree to        leverage the Internet Economy to foster an enabling environment that empowers        Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) as well as the vulnerable and disadvantaged        groups. We agree to promote safe, efficient, low-cost and inclusive internet        financial services to enable SMEs and individuals to share the benefits of        economic development, in accordance with the development level and capacity of        each member economy.

Ocean        Cooperation

  1. 52.           We welcome the        Xiamen Declaration endorsed at the 4th APEC Ocean-related Ministerial Meeting.        We acknowledge the APEC Ocean and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) views on Blue        Economy and the outcomes of the APEC Blue Economy Forums hosted by China. We        encourage APEC economies to develop environmentally-friendly ocean-related        economic activity as an approach to the sustainable management of marine        resources, such as marine renewable energy, and sustainable fisheries and        aquaculture through innovation. We endorse the APEC Ocean Cooperation in the        Asia Pacific Region (Annex G). We support the establishment of the Steering        Council of Mainstreaming Ocean-Related issues in APEC. We also welcome the APEC        project “Workshop on the Climate Change Impact on Oceans and Fisheries        Resources”.

Energy

  1. 53.           We commend the implementation of the APEC        Low-Carbon Model Town Project and the related promotion activities and the        strengthening of the Energy Smart Communities Initiative under the Energy        Working Group (EWG). We welcome        the outcomes of the 11th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting (EMM), including the        establishment of the APEC Sustainable Energy Center in China, the        promotion of the APEC LNG Trade Facilitation Initiative and the        aspirational goal of doubling the share of renewables in the APEC energy mix,        including in power generation by 2030.        We        reiterate our aspirational goal of reducing APEC’s        aggregate energy intensity by 45 percent from 2005 levels by 2035 and to        rationalize and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage        wasteful consumption while still providing essential energy services. We        acknowledge Peru and New Zealand for initiating voluntary peer reviews of        inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that cause wasteful consumption and sharing        their best practices, and welcome the commitment from the Philippines to undergo        the review in 2015.
  2. 54.           Recognizing        that fossil fuel will continue to play a significant role in the energy mix of        this region, in the medium to long term, we therefore reaffirm the importance of        the clean and efficient use of fossil fuel. We encourage        member economies, where there        are difficulties in quickly deploying alternatives to coal,        to enhance cooperation in developing and applying clean coal technologies such        as highly efficient coal-fired power plants and Carbon Capture Utilization and        Storage.        We support the safe and efficient development of nuclear power, which functions as a base load power        source,        in interested economies.We        encourage        member        economies to create favorable conditions for trade and investment to support the        LNG market in the APEC region, including by relaxing destination        clauses.
  3. 55.           We agree to        facilitate trade in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products by        converging energy efficiency regulations and enhance public-private dialogue        through the ICT product Energy Efficiency Convergence Forum, to avoid possible        technical barriers to trade of energy efficient ICT products.       

Forestry and        Wildlife

  1. 56.           We reaffirm        our commitment to promote trade in legal timber, legally harvested wood and wood        products and combat illegal logging and associated trade. We instruct officials        to consider proposals related to information sharing and transparency, and to        take concrete actions to combat illegal logging and promote trade in legal wood        products. We welcome member economies’ endeavors through the Expert Group on        Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT) to promote and facilitate greater        transparency and information sharing.
  2. 57.           We are        committed to conserving wildlife resources by strengthening our efforts to        improve the livelihood of rural community, protect forest, grassland, wetland,        desert and marine ecosystems, enhance environmental protection, and facilitate        trade in legally harvested wildlife. We remain committed to strengthening our        efforts to combat wildlife trafficking in the APEC region and reduce the supply        of and demand for illegally traded wildlife. We will join hands to combat        illicit transnational trade in protected wildlife by sharing information,        intelligence, experiences and best practices, and strengthening international        cooperation. We welcome actions being taken to build capacity to stop this        illicit trade, including through cooperative activities such as the APEC        Capacity Building Workshop on Reduction of Demand for Illegally Traded Wildlife        held in Hanoi in October 2014.

Mining

  1. 58.           We welcome the        outcome of the 5th Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Mining and        underscore the important role of sustainable development in mining in the        Asia-Pacific region in promoting economic and social development, creating        quality jobs, reducing poverty, improving infrastructure, and bridging regional        development gaps. We support initiatives to promote the transformation and        growth of mining and encourage the APEC Mining Task Force to continue to advance        mining cooperation in the region.

Science and        Technology

  1. 59.           We endorse the        initiative on Toward Innovation-Driven Development to build a vigorous        partnership on science, technology and innovation. We encourage members to        promote regional science and technology collaboration through the Policy        Partnership on Science Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) and cross-fora cooperation and coordination among APEC        mechanisms, such as the APEC Chief Science Advisors and Equivalents’ Meeting and        the APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research, and Education        (ASPIRE).
  2. 60.           We encourage        members, on a voluntary basis, to raise the proportion of public finance for        innovation in science, technology, and related fields. We support members’        efforts to promote entrepreneurial innovation through fiscal and financial        policy measures and other means; to strengthen support for innovative activities        by SMEs; to shorten the length of translation and commercialization periods of        patent and technologies, and to enhance the economic contributions of science        and technology. We welcome the establishment of APEC Biomedical Technology        Commercialization Training Centers in the Republic of Korea and Thailand. We        welcome the outcomes of the APEC Conference on Appropriate Technology (AT).       

Small and Medium        Enterprises

  1. 61.           We welcome the        outcomes of the 21st SME Ministerial Meeting and the Nanjing Declaration on        Promoting SME Innovative Development. We        endorse the outcomes of the first APEC Business Ethics for SMEs Forum in the Nanjing Declaration to Promote Ethical        Business Environments in the Medical Device and Biopharmaceutical Sectors        (2014-2020),and support the Manila Declaration for the Construction and        Engineering Sector. We commit to improve innovation and sustainable        development of SMEs, and to further strengthen the innovation capacity of SMEs.        We encourage SME R&D through various means such as financial inclusion of        innovative start-ups and high-growth SMEs, and actively explore feasible ways to        drive the SMEs innovation based on information technology and e-commerce. We        encourage the supportive role of APEC service platforms. We welcome the progress        in developing and implementing code of ethics in member economies to create        ethical business environments that support innovation and the sustainable        growth, especially for SMEs.

Human Resource Development and        Skills Training

  1. 62.           We welcome the        outcome of the 6th APEC Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministerial Meeting and        the HRD Action Plan (2015-2018) on Promoting Quality Employment and        Strengthening People-to-People Connectivity through HRD. We acknowledge the        initiative of APEC economies to establish APEC Human Resources Development        Centers, including the proposal for establishing such a center in Viet        Nam.
  2. 63.           We support        training programs for skills development and endorse the establishment of        capacity building centers to help workers achieve competencies required to meet        industry demand. We agree to improve skills for women and young people and        foster an enabling environment to create better quality jobs, and welcome the        progress made under the APEC Skills Development Promotion Project (2010-2014).       

Women

  1. 64.           We welcome the        outcomes of the APEC 2014 Women and the Economy Forum, and encourage sustained        momentum from economies to provide policy support for women’s economic        empowerment and establish a gender-responsive enabling environment to advance        women’s full and equal economic participation, including in women’s access to        jobs, capital, markets, business networks, skills and capacity building, and        innovation and technology. We support launching a Women’s Entrepreneurship in        APEC (WE-APEC) network of networks in the Asia-Pacific region. We recognize the        importance of data to be measured and tracked to show progress over time for        advancing women’s economic empowerment, and we welcome the establishment of the        APEC Women and the Economy Dashboard as an important step in tracking women’s        ability to participate in the economy in the APEC region. We recognize the role        of public-private collaboration in promoting women’s leadership, and we welcome        the 50 Leading Companies for Women in        APEC report and encourage economies to share and disseminate best practices        of those companies domestically. We instruct the APEC Policy Partnership on        Women and Economy (PPWE) to collaborate with other APEC fora to incorporate a        gender perspective into APEC’s work. We encourage cross-fora synergies wherever        possible, and welcome the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies joint initiative to        enhance women’s labor force participation, and efforts to enhance export        programs in member economies to Assist Women-owned SMEs Access to the Global        Market.

Food Safety and        Security

  1. 65.           We welcome the        outcomes of the 3rd APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting. We support the APEC        Action Plan for Reducing Food Loss and Waste, the APEC Food Security Business        Plan (2014-2020), and the APEC Food Security Roadmap toward 2020 (2014 version)        and the Action Plan to Enhance Connectivity of APEC Food Standards and Safety        Assurance. We recognize the important role of the Policy Partnership on Food        Security as a platform to convene governments and private enterprises to share        expertise, knowledge, and jointly address food security. We reaffirm the        importance of enhancing food security through the development of food value        chains, and acknowledge the efforts made jointly by member economies in reducing        food loss.
  2. 66.           We welcome the        outcomes of the Food Safety Cooperation Forum Special Session in Beijing and its        Partnership Training Institute Network in developing robust food safety systems        in APEC member economies, especially those reflected in the APEC Food Safety        Beijing Statement 2014 of the APEC High-Level Regulator Industry        Dialogue.
  3. 67.           We are        committed to strengthening APEC agricultural science and technology innovation        and cooperation with a view to facilitating trade related agricultural products        and promoting sustainable agricultural development. We will encourage the use of        agricultural science and technology research in a market-oriented manner to        improve food safety and security in the region.

Disaster        Management

  1. 68.           We welcome the        recommendations from the 8th Disaster Management Senior Officials Forum. We        encourage APEC member economies to place more emphasis on the application of        science and technology in disaster preparedness, risk reduction, response and        post-disaster recovery and cooperation in search and rescue, and recognize them        as effective approaches to responding to global climate change and promoting a        balance between economic growth, inclusive social development, and sustainable        use of the environment and resources.
  2. 69.           We welcome the        Work Plan on Emergency Response Travel Facilitation (ERTF) that will continue        APEC’s work in easing the mobility of emergency responders and business        community to take part in the post-disaster recovery. We commend the ongoing        work to promote the use of business continuity plans to mitigate the impact of        disasters on communities and economies.
  3. 70.           We welcome the        APEC Guidelines for Appropriate Donations        in Times of Disaster to support        effective public donations practices, efficient supply chain and relief        operations, and speedier economic recovery in disaster-affected areas. We commit        to improving the resilience of supply chains in APEC economies. We        support and recognize the importance of assessing the economic value of coastal        ecosystems for disaster risk reduction and response and coastal resilience. We        encourage additional emergency response        mechanisms to increase resiliency of our energy infrastructure to natural        disasters and climate change.        We        welcome work that might better utilize new technologies to improve how we work        collectively across APEC in response to disasters and emergencies, such as the        initial steps taken for people rescue by the APEC Telecommunications and        Information Working Group. We support the goal of increasing human safety by        using ICT. We        encourage the application of innovative science and technology to better utilize        big data and share value-added information that will enhance capacity building        on disaster resilience for SMEs and Global Value Chains. We acknowledge the progress        being made by APEC toward establishing the Trade Recovery Programme, a        trade recovery communications mechanism.

Anti-Corruption

  1. 71.           We        resolve to        strengthen pragmatic anti-corruption cooperation, especially in key areas such        as denying safe haven, extraditing or repatriating corrupt officials, enhancing        asset recovery efforts, and protecting market order and integrity.       
  2. 72.           We endorse        the Beijing Declaration on Fighting Corruption (Annex H), the APEC Principles on the Prevention of Bribery        and Enforcement of Anti-bribery Laws, and the APEC General Elements of Effective Corporate        Compliance Programs.
  3. 73.           We welcome the        establishment of the APEC Network of Anti-Corruption and Law Enforcement        Agencies (ACT-NET) with the        finalization of its Terms of Reference. We expect to        deepen international cooperation, information and intelligence exchange and        experience sharing among anti-corruption and law enforcement practitioners from        APEC member economies through the ACT-NET and other platforms.
  4. 74.           We appreciate        the efforts of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group in        collaborating with other APEC fora to improve transparency in this        region.

Counter-Terrorism

  1. 75.           We        welcome the upgrade of Counter Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) and        commend the        achievements of the Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) during this year,        including identification of its priorities and implementation of the CTWG        Strategic Plan 2013-2017. We commend the outcomes of the Secure Trade in APEC        Region (STAR) IX Conference. We encourage economies to continue to cooperate and        communicate in areas such as secure supply chain, secure travel, secure finance        and secure infrastructure, to improve and maintain trade security and economic        stability in the region.

Health

  1. 76.           Recognizing        health is a critical component of economic and trade development as well as a        driver of regional economic growth, we endorse the Healthy Asia Pacific 2020        initiative and the        Statement by the 4th APEC High Level Meeting on Health and the        Economy. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthen health systems with a focus on        the areas of:  Universal Health        Coverage; health financing; the prevention and control of non-communicable        diseases and preparedness for effective management of infectious diseases;        strengthening mental health through implementation of the 2015-2020 roadmap; and        promoting understanding of the safe and effective use of traditional medicine        and similar products.

Urbanization

  1. 77.           We note the        outcomes of the APEC High Level Dialogue on Urbanization in August 2014. We        endorse the APEC Cooperation Initiative for Jointly Establishing an        Asia-Pacific Urbanization Partnership. We encourage more support for        urbanization cooperation activities.
  2. 78.           We welcome the        APEC Policy Support Unit (PSU) study on Urbanization and Sustainable City        Development, and task it to continue its study on regional urbanization. We        encourage relevant APEC fora to incorporate urbanization-related topics into        their work programs. We agree to set up a Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM)        Friends of the Chair on Urbanization to guide future work in this        field.

  1. 79.           We commend efforts made in the        implementation of the APEC Low-Carbon Model Town Project and the        Energy Smart Communities Initiative under the        APEC Energy Working Group, and instruct officials to explore pathways to        sustainable city development and to a new type of urbanization that is green,        circular, low-carbon and people-oriented, thus striking a balance between        economic growth, inclusive social development and sustainable use of the        environment and resources. We agree to establish a cooperative network of        sustainable cities in APEC economies.

Strengthening        Comprehensive Connectivity and Infrastructure        Development

  1. 80.           We recognize that strengthening        comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development plays a vital role in        fostering trade facilitation in the region, realizing a more interconnected        regional economy, and improving the competitiveness. We are convinced that it        will contribute substantially to the realization of the Bogor Goals and regional        economic integration.
  2. 81.           We endorse the APEC        Connectivity Blueprint, and submit it to the APEC Leaders for their        endorsement. We commit to implement the APEC Connectivity Blueprint and        achieve the overarching goal of strengthening physical, institutional and        people-to-people connectivity by taking agreed actions and meeting agreed        targets by 2025, with the objective of achieving a seamless and comprehensively        connected and integrated Asia Pacific.
  3. 82.           We welcome the undertaking of the        Report to Implement the APEC Connectivity        Blueprint, and encourage economies and APEC fora to draw on the report when        implementing the Blueprint.
  4. 83.           We note the        tremendous work accomplished under the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process (FMP),        including: compiling demonstrative infrastructure PPP projects for experience        sharing; formulating an implementation roadmap to guide APEC’s future work in        developing infrastructure PPP projects; strengthening capacity of pilot PPP        centers; promoting experience sharing; carrying on capacity building project of PPP        pilot demonstration and standard contract making; and, consolidating the role of the PPP Experts Advisory        Panel in supporting and guiding APEC’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) work. We        recognize        the important role of fiscal and taxation policies, and encourage all economies to promote financial services        for regional real economy in order to achieve benefit and economic        sustainability.
  5. 84.           We acknowledge        the progress made by Indonesia throughout 2014 in establishing its PPP Center        with the        support from the APEC PPP Experts Advisory Panel. We welcome the establishment of the PPP Center in        China, as a center of excellence to facilitate development of PPP projects and        institutional building at different government levels. We are willing to provide        technical assistance to the interested member economies in this endeavor on a        voluntary basis.
  6. 85.           We note with appreciation the        work of the APEC Port Service Network (APSN) to facilitate cooperation and        communication among ports and related sectors in the region. We applaud APSN’s        efforts to promote green growth and strengthen connectivity in the APEC port and        related industries.
  7. 86.           We recognize        that lifecycle cost,        environmental        impacts, and        safety including resilience to natural disasters, constitute key elements of        infrastructure quality. We        welcome        the positive contribution of        the        APEC Capacity Building Seminar on Quality of Infrastructure Development and        Investment, and the APEC        Guidebook on Quality        of        Infrastructure         Development and        Investment.
  8. 87.           We        recognize the importance of people-centered investment as well as good practices        and principles should be taken into account in formulating infrastructure        development plans.
  9. 88.           We reaffirm the importance of        improving transportation systems to ease the flow of goods, people, services,        and capital through developing a transportation “Connectivity Map” and “Quality        Transport” vision, and sharing best practices in enhancing transportation        infrastructure investment.
  10. 89.           We affirm that transportation        infrastructure development, as well as safe, secure, and sustainable        transportation, is essential for the promotion of economic growth in the APEC        region. We encourage all economies to invest in new, upgraded or replacement        infrastructure, in order to meet increased transportation needs.

  1. 90.           We recognize        that strengthening cross-border education cooperation among APEC economies is a        critical form of people-to-people connectivity. We welcome progress on the Work        Plan on Promoting Cross-Border Education Cooperation, and encourage new        activities that further promote APEC cross-border education cooperation,        including by enhancing the mobility of students, researchers and education        providers, and the existing network of bilateral agreements. We commend the APEC        economies, including their participating schools and companies that have        committed to sponsoring APEC scholarships and internships this year to promote        cross-border education as well as inclusive growth in and across the region. We        urge efforts by APEC economies to contribute to the target of 1 million        intra-APEC university-level students per year by 2020.

  1. 91.           We encourage        officials to        elaborate various academic mobility schemes and mechanisms, including voluntary        implementation of the        ‘Virtual’        Academic Mobility        Card, which        universities can use on a voluntary basis to facilitate knowledge sharing.        Weencourage efforts to provide        such opportunities to generally under-represented populations，and advocate further        research and best regulatory        practices on collaboration and exchanges in the field of        higher education and vocational education. We encourage economies to use        platforms such as the APEC Higher Education Research Center （AHERC）to enhance joint study, information sharing,        student and researchers mobility among APEC universities and        institutions.
  2. 92.           We support the        End-to-End Review of the present APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme, and        remain committed to its further improvement and development with our concerted        efforts. We welcome the in-principle agreement to extend the validity of the        ABTC to 5 years. We appreciate the endeavors of transitional members of the ABTC        Scheme to become full members.
  3. 93.           We are pleased        to note that the 8th APEC Tourism Ministers’ Meeting has agreed to        strive for the target of 800 million international tourists among APEC economies        by 2025. We agree with the initiative proposed by the 8th TMM to        develop tourism as a pillar industry and give priority to its development by        APEC economies. We agree that tourism cooperation is an effective way to boost        connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region and share the best examples of tourism        boosting connectivity. We agree to promote the integrated development of tourism        and other related industries as a driving force of economic growth so as to make        active contribution to value chain cooperation in the Asia Pacific        region.

Strengthening        APEC

  1. 94.           We        recognize the importance of Economic        and Technical        Cooperation        (ECOTECH) to ensure equitable growth and shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific        region        and global competitiveness as a foundation to advance trade and investment        liberalization and facilitation. We reiterate        our commitments to ECOTECH as APEC’s main pillar in attaining sustainable growth        and equitable development in the Asia-Pacific region and in reducing economic        disparities among APEC economies. We remain committed to providing demand-driven        ECOTECH activities to help APEC economies, in particular the developing        economies, to achieve the Bogor Goals.
  2. 95.           We        agree to strengthen the prioritization and effective implementation of ECOTECH        through APEC fora. We encourage economies, particularly developed economies, to        provide more capacity        building support        andcontributions        including        to        the existing APEC Funds,        so as        to achieve our goal of bridging gaps in capacity gaps        among        economies, and help economies meet their APEC commitments and economic growth        objectives.
  3. 96.           We welcome        efforts to maintain APEC’s focus on ECOTECH and instruct officials to improve        the effectiveness of the SOM Steering Committee on ECOTECH (SCE)’s work,        capacity-building and communication. We commend the progress made this year in        advancing the ECOTECH agenda and endorse the 2014 Senior Official’s Report on        Economic and Technical Cooperation.
  4. 97.           We acknowledge        ongoing endeavors to strengthen the coordination between APEC fora and to        streamline the operation of the SCE and instruct Senior Officials to continue        improving this coordination and urge APEC fora to enhance communication so as to        avoid duplication of work and maximize synergy.
  5. 98.           We welcome        China’s initiative to upgrade the Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Center to        the Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Institute (AFDI) and appreciate China’s        efforts and concrete contribution to support economic and technical cooperation        and capacity building in the Asia-Pacific region. We endeavor to strengthen our        cooperation with the AFDI through our domestic institutions including our APEC        study centers.
  6. 99.           We        acknowledge the 10-year achievement of the APEC Digital Opportunity Center        (ADOC) initiative and appreciate Chinese Taipei’s efforts and contributions as        well as the cooperation of        the        10 partner member economies (PMEs) in bridging digital divides and creating        digital opportunities throughout the APEC region.

100.We endorse the Ways to Strengthen        APEC’s Synergy and Complementarity with Regional and International Cooperation        Fora and Processes, to solve complex cross-border challenges, and instruct        Officials to implement the recommendations. We welcome the        active participation and valuable inputs provided by ABAC this year on various        cross-cutting agenda in APEC.

101.We recognize        the importance of budget and management arrangements as a means to ensure APEC’s        strength as an institution. In this regard, we welcome the work of APEC in        financial realignment and institutional management issues. We also welcome the        work on project management to improve capacity-building activities in APEC,        including the work by the Budget and Management Committee (BMC) to better        evaluate the impact of APEC projects.

102.We appreciate        the pivotal role of the PSU in fulfilling APEC 2014 priorities, in particular        taking the lead in the development of the APEC Connectivity Blueprint and the        report to support its implementation. We are encouraged by the increasing        contributions of the PSU to key APEC initiatives. We note that the PSU also has        provided useful contributions to the Finance Ministers’ Process. We urge the PSU        to continue building up a solid body of work, including evaluating the quality        of its outputs. We reiterate our commitment to support the        PSU.

103.We endorse the        2014 Senior Officials’ Report on APEC’s work program, including the        recommendations contained therein, note the 2014 Annual Report of the APEC        Secretariat Executive Director, and approve the 2015 APEC budget and member        contributions. We welcome preparations for APEC 2015 in the        Philippines.


Annexes:

Annex A:        APEC Statement on        Promoting the        Use of Interoperable Global Data Standards

Annex B:        APEC Statement on Promoting        Renewable and Clean Energy (RCE) Trade and Investment

Annex C:        APEC        Customs 3M Strategic Framework

Annex D: Action Agenda        on Promoting Infrastructure Investment through Public-Private        Partnership

Annex E: The        APEC Strategic Plan on Capacity Building to Promote Trade and Investment        Agenda

Annex F: APEC        Initiative of Cooperation to Promote Internet Economy

Annex G: APEC        Ocean Cooperation in the Asia Pacific Region

Annex H: The        Beijing Declaration on Fighting Corruption

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