APEC ministers wrap up Bali meet<\/p>\n
Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Nusa Dua, Bali<\/p>\n
The fourth meeting of the APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting
\nconcluded on Friday, with a joint statement setting out the
\nefforts that will be taken to tighten security and raise safety
\nstandards for transportation systems in the region.<\/p>\n
More than 20 transportation ministers, who first convened on
\nTuesday, said that they condemned terrorist attacks on
\ntransportation systems and were \"United in their determination to
\nenhance regional cooperation in transportation security.\"<\/p>\n
Raising the safety standards of transportation would be
\ncrucial given the rapid increase in road traffic fatalities and
\ninjuries worldwide, especially in the APEC region, which at
\npresent accounted for over 40 percent of the 1.2 million annual
\nglobal fatalities, the statement said.<\/p>\n
By increasing both security and safety, it added, \"APEC
\neconomies are building a transport and trade system in our
\nregions that strengthens security, while facilitating the
\nmovement of people and goods.\"<\/p>\n
The biennial forum, kicked off by President Megawati
\nSoakarnoputri on Tuesday and attended by -- among others -- the
\nU.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, is aimed at boosting
\nefforts to achieve free and open trade and investment within
\nmember countries based on safe and secure transportation.<\/p>\n
Aside from sharing experiences and information with world
\nexperts on transportation, the Bali forum was also availed of by
\nIndonesia to promote the country as an investment destination in
\nthe transportation sector for other APEC members.<\/p>\n
The joint statement also listed a number of actions to be
\ntaken by member nations.<\/p>\n
One of the concrete actions referred to is enhancing
\ncooperation with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB)
\nto improve member countries' transportation infrastructure and
\nthe capabilities of their transportation professionals.<\/p>\n
The 21 APEC members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada,
\nChile, China, Hong Kong-China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
\nMexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines,
\nRussia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the U.S. and
\nVietnam.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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