APEC Launches Secure Trade in the APEC Region Initiative
 
October 30, 2002
 

In response to a United States proposal at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, the leaders of APEC have launched "Secure Trade in the APEC Region" (STAR) which is designed to enhance security while increasing trade.  The STAR initiative commits APEC economies to accelerate action on the security screening of people and cargo before transit; increase security on ships and airplanes while en route; and enhance security in airports and seaports.  This initiative complements the transport security initiative President Bush secured at the G-8 Kananaskis Summit this June, as well as smart border programs President Bush launched with Mexico and Canada, and advances a vision of security that pushes the perimeter beyond the physical border. A number of APEC economies, encompassing most of the biggest ports in the region, have also agreed to participate in the U.S. Customs Container Security Initiative.   

•  APEC countries account for over 50 percent of the world's trade, 21 of the world's 30 top container seaports, and 23 of the world's 30 busiest airports.

• Approximately 90 percent of the world's cargo moves by container.

•  Globally, over 48 million cargo containers move between major seaports each year. Each year, more than 16 million containers arrive in the United States by ship, truck and rail.

• More than 14,000 planes are flying in the global fleet of commercial airlines.

The APEC Plan of Action consists of the following components:

•  Cargo protection: 1) identify and examine high-risk containers, assure in-transit integrity, provide advance electronic information on containers to customs, port and shipping officials as early as possible in the supply chain; 2) implement by 2005 common standards for electronic customs reporting; and 3) promote private-sector adoption of high standards of supply chain security.

• Ship protection: 1) promote ship and port security plans by July 2004 and install automatic identification systems on certain ships by December 2004; and 2) cooperate to fight piracy in the region.

• Aviation protection: 1) introduce new baggage screening procedures and equipment in all APEC major airports by 2005; 2) reinforce flight deck doors for passenger aircraft by April 2003; and 3) support International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) mandatory aviation security audits.

• Passenger protection: 1) implement a common global standard on advance passenger information; 2) adopt biometrics standards, such as those being developed by the ICAO and the International Standards Organization; 3) reform immigration service procedures; and 4) promote adoption of air cargo security guidelines developed by ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The Container Security Initiative (CSI):  The U.S. Customs Service is partnering with key ports to introduce pre-screening and risk analysis of cargo containers based on advance information. Fifty percent of containerized cargo shipments to the United States originate in 10 key megaports, six of which are in APEC countries. Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada and most recently China have agreed to participate in CSI, and U.S. Customs is seeking to expand CSI to a number of other Asia-Pacific countries.  Comprehensive, smart-border initiatives that use modern technology to enhance security and expedite legitimate cross-border travel and commerce are underway with Mexico and Canada.