APEC Secretariat Launches Project Management Unit
With $18.5 million currently committed to 251 active projects and pledges for additional contributions by several member economies, the number of APEC projects are expected to increase.
APEC's regional capacity-building projects encourage member economies to develop human capital, strengthen economic infrastructure, develop the dynamism of small and medium enterprises, and help developing economies in their efforts to promote economic development and prosperity.
"Since APEC began implementing projects in 1993, project numbers have increased from 33 per year to around 120 in 2006, said Ambassador Colin Heseltine, the APEC Secretariat's Executive Director, when he launched the Project Management Unit on 18 June 2007.
"Over the same period, the funds APEC committed to projects increased from just under $1 million to almost $8 million per year. This will increase following recent new contributions from member economies," Ambassador Heseltine added.
In line with APEC's reform efforts, the Secretariat is committed to ongoing improvements internally by providing members with a more professional and responsive service.
A specialized Project Management Unit (PMU) has been created within the Secretariat to provide highly effective and transparent management systems throughout the project cycle, including conception and design, implementation, and final evaluation.
"The objectives of the PMU are to improve the coordination of project activities and ensure more cost-effective and targeted projects. The PMU will help capture institutional memory and ensure continuity in future years," said Ambassador Heseltine.
To assist in improving the quality of APEC projects, the Project Management Unit will develop further a more professionalized approach to projects and help build capacity in project management within the Secretariat and the wider APEC community.
While Program Directors will continue to be the first point of contact for general inquiries and project administration, advice on projects or more specific guidance on the development of a project or its implementation can be requested from the APEC Project Management Unit at [email protected].