APEC Looks to Enhance Connectivity

At the meeting, ministers and government officials of 21 APEC member economies discussed many topics, with emphasis given to natural disaster response. The meeting also discussed measures to enhance cooperation on international logistics policy and infrastructure investment, including highway network expansion.

Japanese Transport Minister Akihiro Ota said developing high quality transportation systems is the main factor to enhance regional connectivity and promote economic development in the Asia Pacific region. Safer and faster transportation services in the Asia- Pacific region would contribute to a stronger economic growth and better links with other regions. Countries in the region are increasing economic integration by means of negotiations to reach regional and bilateral free trade agreements.

 

Wrapping up the ministerial meeting, ministers adopted a joint statement stressing a continued commitment to enhancing connectivity and improving transportation networks to facilitate the movement of goods, people, services and capital sources in the APEC region. Ministers directed the Working Group on Transportation to continue to make efforts for transport connectivity, including aviation, maritime, cruise, logistics, urban and inter-city transportation, intelligent transportation systems and multi-modal transport networks.

 

The joint statement also affirmed its support for annual initiatives for the formation of a unified APEC connectivity framework programme, looked to an ambitious future with three main pillars of infrastructure connectivity, institutional connectivity and people-to-people connectivity to enhance regional economic integration and contribute to economic growth and trade facilitation. In addition, a variety of other issues related to aviation connectivity, infrastructure strengthening, high-quality transportation, APEC green port initiatives and vehicle standard harmonisation were also included in the joint statement.

 

Especially, the joint statement also agreed on the plan for construction of a safer and better transportation network in 2020 to facilitate the integration of regional economies. Ministers of 21 APEC economies said that they will develop Connectivity Map, including roads, high-speed rail, ports and other infrastructure. This plan is expected to be completed by 2020 and this map will be announced at the APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting in the Philippines in 2015.