APEC Transportation Working Group (TPT-WG 18)
Steering Committee on Safe and Environment-Friendly Transportation Systems

Report of Transportation Security Experts Group
Miyazaki, Japan
Monday, October 16, 2000

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The United States chaired the first formal Transportation Security Experts Group meeting on Monday, October 16, 2000. Twelve economies attended including Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; China; Hong Kong, China; Japan; New Zealand; Philippines; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; and the United States, as well as a representative of the Airports Council International, Pacific Region (ACI-Pacific.)

The Transportation Security Experts Group was formed at TPT-WG 17 to focus on the challenges of transportation security in the APEC region. The group provides a needed regional forum to exchange information regarding security policies, practices, and new technologies within and among the various modes. The delegates developed a Terms of Reference (attached) for the Transportation Security Experts Group. It was noted that the work of the experts group should complement, and not duplicate, work already under way within international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It was further noted that the most efficient way to meet the group¡¦s objectives was to assess individual modal security concerns so as to contribute in an effective manner to a multi-modal discussion with the experts group. The Transportation Security Experts Group thereby endorsed forming aviation, maritime, and land transport subgroups to work intersessionally in support of the multi-modal group¡¦s terms of reference.

The delegates agreed that it was important that all APEC economies be included in intersessional meetings. Additionally, it is critical that modal security experts participate in subgroup activities (e.g., at meetings and via teleconferences, the Internet, e-mail, faxes, etc.,) so the Transportation Security Experts Group can be an effective APEC tool in addressing regional multi-modal security concerns. The delegates discussed the need to make maximum use of electronic means for conducting intersessional work in order to avoid precluding participation by imaginative but financially strapped entities and individuals.

The delegates emphasized the need to identify appropriate aviation, maritime, and land transportation security contacts that could participate in the Transportation Security Experts Group. Economies should provide experts¡¦ contact information to the chair.

The chair thanked Japan for its report on the ¡§Regional Conference on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships¡¨ (TPTWG18/SCSE/TS/4) held in Tokyo April 27-28, 2000. The conference concluded that in order to prevent incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships, it is imperative that regional cooperation is strengthened. Indeed, the maritime subgroup of the Transportation Working Group will cooperate with the Maritime Safety Experts Group to alert APEC Transport Ministers to piracy concerns in the Asia Pacific region.

The floor was opened to nominations for a Transportation Security Experts Group chair and/or co-chair. After some discussion, it was decided that the United States would serve as interim chair to coordinate intersessional efforts and that a permanent chair and vice chair would be selected at a subsequent meeting.

Recommendations to the Steering Committee:

• endorse the Transportation Security Experts Group meeting report and Terms of Reference;
• encourage economies to identify aviation, maritime, and land transport security experts and other points of contact;
• note that the Transportation Security Experts Group will work with Maritime Safety Experts Group to address Asia Pacific piracy concerns at the next Ministerial;
• encourage intersessional work and communication between security experts and member economies via electronic means (i.e., e-mails, faxes, teleconferences, etc.,) as appropriate;
• note that the United States will serve as interim Chair of the Transportation Security Experts Group until a permanent chair and vice-chair are selected.

APEC Transportation Working Group
Steering Committee on Safe and Environment-Friendly Transportation Systems
Transportation Security Experts Group

Terms of Reference

1. Establish a framework and process to increase cooperation and communication between economy transportation security experts to enable appropriate regional coordination of transportation security policies, measures, and standards.

2. Develop methods to coordinate security methods and standards to meet the needs of the APEC region¡¦s expanding transportation systems and contribute to its safety and efficiency.

3. Facilitate cooperation in the areas of research, development, and use of transportation security technologies and operational procedures leading to secure passenger and cargo movements.

4. Serve as a focal point for the exchange of information and the establishment of relationships with other recognized regional transportation security bodies (for example within Europe, Latin America, and Africa)and the private sector.

5. Promote increased cooperation among member economies and international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with regard to transportation security initiatives.