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APEC COVID-19 Economic Response and Recovery Initiatives

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APEC has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by swiftly implementing a series of economic response and recovery initiatives. These initiatives range from high-level commitments and expert analyses and recommendations to innovative tools and practical projects. APEC economies and partners have worked together to strive to overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19 and realise economic growth for all across the Asia-Pacific region.

See below links for further information on some of APEC’s COVID-19 economic response and recovery initiatives:

SUPPORTING SUPPLY CHAINS FOR ESSENTIAL GOODS AND SERVICES

1. Declaration on Facilitating the Movement of Essential Goods by the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade

Declaration on Facilitating the Movement of Essential Goods by the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade, covering export restrictions and prohibitions, non-tariff barriers, trade facilitation and tariffs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Targeted Analysis and Training on Supply Chain Resilience

Analysis and targeted training courses on supply chain resilience in the context of COVID-19, including:

3. Trade Facilitation Measures to Mitigate Trade Disruptions – Response Toolkit

The Trade Facilitation Measures to Mitigate Trade Disruptions: COVID-19 Lessons and Response Toolkit presents a range of trade facilitation best practices implemented by customs administrations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study includes measures that could be permanently adopted, as well as preparatory measures to build resilience against future shocks. Included in the project is also a toolkit with a comprehensive set of measures that can be implemented by customs administrations to mitigate trade disruptions during a global crisis. The project aims to ensure that the strength and learning of one economy may translate into best practices for the region as a whole.

4. Statement by APEC Ministers on COVID-19 and Food Security

Ministers and high-level representatives responsible for food security issued a Virtual Ministerial Policy Dialogue on Food Security – Statement on COVID-19. As part of the statement, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work to facilitate the flow of essential goods and services, including food and agricultural products and inputs across borders to minimise disruptions to global supply chains and food trade. Ministers acknowledged that emergency measures related to food and agricultural products designed to respond to COVID-19 should be targeted, proportionate, transparent, temporary, and not create unnecessary barriers to trade or disruption to global supply chains and be consistent with WTO rules. Ministers stressed the importance of international trade for global food security and recognized that measures inconsistent with international rules and standards may create non-tariff barriers, increase food price volatility and undermine food security at this critical time.

SECURING ACCESS TO COVID-19 VACCINES AND MEDICAL PRODUCTS

5. Joint Statement on Building a Resilient Asia-Pacific in a COVID-19 World by APEC Health Ministers

APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and Economy Joint Statement on Building a Resilient Asia-Pacific in a COVID-19 World was issued by APEC Health Ministers and other high level health representatives covering issues such as the importance of providing safe, quality and effective vaccines across the region; the contribution of additional resources from across APEC to combat the pandemic and support workers and sectors through the economic recovery process; and providing safe, quality, effective, and affordable medical products, especially those essential to the COVID-19 response.

6. Best Practice Guidelines for APEC Customs Administrations to Facilitate the Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines and Related Goods

Best Practice Guidelines for APEC Customs Administrations to facilitate the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and related goods. These Guidelines strengthen the predictability, visibility and reliability of economies’ vaccine supply chains and also send a strong signal to the global community that APEC is committed to expediting the successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. By implementing any of the measures in the guidelines, APEC member economies can benefit from simplified, modernised and harmonised export and import processes for COVID-19 vaccines. Implementation will also strengthen their supply chain security and connectivity, making economies more resilient to future supply chain disruptions and trade challenges.

7. APEC Supply Chain Security Toolkit for Medical Products and Track & Trace Webinar Series

The APEC Supply Chain Security Toolkit for Medical Products is a comprehensive resource that addresses areas of vulnerability in the medical product supply chain and the lifecycle of medical products - from raw materials to use by patients. It contains recommended best practices and tools to prevent and detect substandard and falsified medical products before they reach people and patients. The Toolkit also provides tools to efficiently and effectively respond to incidents involving substandard and falsified medical products. A useful resource particularly in the context of COVID-19.

An APEC Medical Product Supply Chain Security Toolkit Webinar Series on Track and Trace and Good Distribution Practice for Medical Products has also taken place, focusing on challenges arising from supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and capacity building.

8. Policy Brief on Promoting Trade in Medical Goods to Tackle COVID-19 Challenges

The Policy Brief on Promoting Trade in Medical Goods to Tackle COVID-19 Challenges highlights the importance of the trade in medical goods, analyses the tariff levels affecting these products in the APEC region, and provides policy recommendations to facilitate the provision of medical goods.

The Policy Brief on Promoting Trade in Vaccines and Related Supplies and Equipment analyses the importance of the trade in vaccines and their related supplies and equipment and identifies issues affecting COVID-19 vaccine trade. In addition, the Policy Brief analyses existing tariff levels and non-tariff measures affecting those products in the APEC region, and provides policy recommendations to facilitate the provision of COVID-19 vaccines and related products, which are necessary to advance vaccination efforts.

FACILITATING THE SAFE RESUMPTION OF CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL

9. Commitment by APEC Economic Leaders and Ministers to Explore Ways to Facilitate the Safe Resumption of Cross-Border Travel

As we look at reopening without undermining efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, APEC Economic Leaders supported APEC playing a greater role in promoting information exchange and coordination measures related to cross-border movement of people, including in relation to air and maritime crew, and COVID-19 testing and vaccination certificates. Leaders committed to work towards tangible outcomes in 2022.

APEC Ministers directed officials to advance further work on processes to support the movement of both air and maritime crew and explore additional specific initiatives, solutions, and best practices to facilitate safe travel in the region, paving the way for a return to people moving across borders for business, tourism and education. Ministers tasked officials to ensure APEC-wide coordination on safe passage and work towards tangible outcomes in 2022.

10. Report on Cross-Border Mobility in the APEC Region

A report on Cross Border-Mobility in the APEC Region has been published. This Report analyses commonalities and differences in APEC economies’ COVID-19 border policies based on survey responses. The Report outlines the economics of cross-border mobility, covering various types of cross-border movement and their contributions to trade and economic growth. The Report includes a review of the effectiveness and impacts of cross-border closures as well as ongoing regional and multilateral initiatives to facilitate cross-border movement and safe reopening. Recommendations to address the current crisis, as well as to prepare for future events that necessitate regional cross-border responses, are included.

11. Roundtables on Safe Passage

A high-level Roundtable on Safe Passage was held in May 2021 and in September 2021. These Roundtables provided a platform for international organisations and APEC economies to exchange views on the resumption of cross-border travel in the APEC region.

An Air Crew & Supply Chain Continuity Roundtable was held in August 2021 to discuss ways to overcome barriers faced by aircrew, including divergent requirements and procedures in place to to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. In addition to following the best practices created by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), it was recommended that a cohesive approach to public health safety that enables crew to safely serve international locations is imperative to avoid interruption of air services. Subsequently, a Research Paper was commissioned which made eight key recommendations for APEC economies, including the adoption of a harmonized suite of processes. The aims of the recommended processes are to be protective of public health, while maximizing the ability of carriers to operate air services for the benefit of APEC member economies.

 

12. APEC Safe Passage Taskforce

An APEC Safe Passage Taskforce was established to coordinate APEC’s work prioritizing the safe resumption of cross-border travel within the region by land, air and sea. The Taskforce will exchange of information on practices on the safe resumption of cross-border travel at domestic, sub-regional and regional levels, as well as from other international organizations. It will also work towards greater alignment of approaches across APEC, for example through a pilot APEC travel protocol, and work towards enhancing interoperability, and consider mutual recognition of any vaccine certificates developed or implemented by APEC economies. The Taskforce will also consider initiatives to facilitate the movement of people across borders, including air crews, seafarers, and transport workers to help boost the recovery of the tourism and travel sectors in the APEC region, while respecting the policies and measures adopted by member economies to combat COVID-19 and future public health emergencies.

INCREASING TRANSPARENCY FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE MEASURES

13. Commitment by APEC Ministers to Notify any Trade COVID-19 Response Measures in Accordance with WTO Obligations

APEC Ministers reiterated that any emergency trade measures designed to address COVID-19 should be targeted, proportionate, transparent, temporary, do not create unnecessary barriers to trade, and are consistent with WTO rules.

APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade committed to ensure that any trade measure introduced in response to COVID-19 is notified in accordance with relevant WTO obligations.

14. Training and New Tools for Notifying COVID-19 Emergency Measures to the WTO

A series of online workshops was held in conjunction with the WTO Secretariat on Transparency in COVID-19 related Emergency Measures on Product Regulations through Notifications to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  These workshop provided guidance to trade and health officials on notifying measures, as well as new tools to monitor notifications. The workshops were attended by over 150 participants from APEC’s 21 member economies.

15. COVID-19 Latest & Immediate Virtual Exchange (LIVE)

Interactive COVID Latest & Immediate Virtual Exchange website displaying a range of COVID-19 information relevant to APEC economies.

ANALYSIS, EXCHANGES AND BEST PRACTICES ON COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

16. High-level Exchanges on COVID-19 Response and Recovery Measures and Recommendations

A range of expert exchanges have taken place between economies, international organizations, private sector representatives and other stakeholders, including on:

  • policies, measures and best practices on customs response to COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 emergency preparedness measures
  • COVID-19 effects on energy policy
  • the impact of COVID-19 on education in member economies
  • women-focused responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • measures implemented by APEC economies to foster SMEs resilience during the COVID-19 crisis
  • the future of work in the context of COVID-19
  • food security policies in response to COVID-19
  • building resilience in science, technology and innovation systems to strengthen economic recovery and foster inclusive and sustainable growth
  • initiatives in response to the impact of COVID-19 on tourism.

17. COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness – Information Sharing on COVID-19 Response Measures

The Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) initiated voluntary information sharing on COVID-19 measures, particularly measures related to emergency preparedness among EPWG economies.

18. Analysis of COVID-19 Impact and Response Measures in the Region and Expert Recommendations

APEC analyses on COVID-19 impact, responses and recommendations have been published including:

A series of expert research and recommendations in the context of COVID-19 has been produced, including:

BUILDING RESILIENCE AND INCLUSION IN APEC COMMUNITIES

19. Ministerial Statement on Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment to Strengthen Post-Pandemic Recovery and Resilience

Statement by Ministers and Heads of Delegation on Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment to Strengthen Post-Pandemic Recovery and Resilience including a commitment to place women and girls at the centre of economic recovery efforts; create opportunities that can further unlock their potential; and remove barriers to better drive towards a swift, inclusive and sustainable recovery.

20. Ministerial Statements on SMEs and COVID-19

Statement by APEC SME Ministers and representatives in 2020, on Navigating the New Normal: Restarting and Reviving MSMEs through Digitalisation, Innovation and Technology, including a commitment to take individual and collective measures to promote MSMEs access to international markets in the region, to maintain stable regional and global supply chains, and to advance socio-economic recovery and development.

Statement by APEC SME Ministers and representatives in 2021, on Supporting MSMEs through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Promoting the inclusive development of sustainable, resilient, digitally enabled and innovative MSMEs for recovery, including a pledge to continue to support MSMEs by strengthening digital infrastructure, accelerating digital transformation, narrowing the digital divide, as well as cooperating on facilitating the flow of data and strengthening consumer and business trust in digital transactions. 

21. Programs Supporting MSMEs, Women, Youth and others with Untapped Economic Potential in the COVID-19 Pandemic

APEC has undertaken or is planning programs targeted at supporting MSMEs, women, youth and others with untapped economic potential during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

22. Initiatives on Using Digital Technology to Support COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Initiatives on using digital technology to support COVID-19 response and recovery are planned or have been implemented, including: