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.