APEC ministers wrap up Bali meet

APEC ministers wrap up Bali meet

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Nusa Dua, Bali

The fourth meeting of the APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting
concluded on Friday, with a joint statement setting out the
efforts that will be taken to tighten security and raise safety
standards for transportation systems in the region.

More than 20 transportation ministers, who first convened on
Tuesday, said that they condemned terrorist attacks on
transportation systems and were "United in their determination to
enhance regional cooperation in transportation security."

Raising the safety standards of transportation would be
crucial given the rapid increase in road traffic fatalities and
injuries worldwide, especially in the APEC region, which at
present accounted for over 40 percent of the 1.2 million annual
global fatalities, the statement said.

By increasing both security and safety, it added, "APEC
economies are building a transport and trade system in our
regions that strengthens security, while facilitating the
movement of people and goods."

The biennial forum, kicked off by President Megawati
Soakarnoputri on Tuesday and attended by -- among others -- the
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, is aimed at boosting
efforts to achieve free and open trade and investment within
member countries based on safe and secure transportation.

Aside from sharing experiences and information with world
experts on transportation, the Bali forum was also availed of by
Indonesia to promote the country as an investment destination in
the transportation sector for other APEC members.

The joint statement also listed a number of actions to be
taken by member nations.

One of the concrete actions referred to is enhancing
cooperation with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB)
to improve member countries' transportation infrastructure and
the capabilities of their transportation professionals.

The 21 APEC members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada,
Chile, China, Hong Kong-China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines,
Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the U.S. and
Vietnam.