TRANSPORT SECURITY (UNITED STATES)

The United States chaired a brainstorming session of Economies interested in forming a permanent transportation security experts group within the APEC Transportation Working Group. Thirteen Economies attended the meeting including Australia; Canada; China; Hong Kong, China; Japan; Korea; New Zealand; Philippines; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States; and Vietnam. The participants agreed to recommend to the Steering Committee on Safe and Environment-Friendly Transportation Systems that a Transportation Security Experts Group be established.

After considerable discussion, it was agreed that the Transportation Security Experts Group should focus on multimodal aspects of transportation security and not be limited to aviation and maritime issues. It was the concensus of the group that the various security disciplines were becoming increasingly interdependent and that the charter of the new experts group should reflect this trend. The delegates agreed that the experts group would provide a needed regional forum for the exchange of information regarding security policy and practices and the development of new technologies among the various modes. Although the focus of the new group is to be multimodal, the delegates agreed that modal groups might find it necessary to meet under the auspices of this experts group, particularly given that security discussions currently occur mainly on a bilateral basis.

The delegates developed a draft mission statement as follows:

"The Transportation Security Experts Group will provide a mechanism for increased cooperation and communication between APEC Economies in the transportation security area in order to meet the needs of the APEC region’s expanding transportation systems and contribute to their efficiency."

The delegates reviewed a draft terms of reference provided by the United States. Although all agreed in principle to the guidelines reflected in the draft terms of reference, it was agreed that the Economies would work intercessionally to develop objectives and a terms of reference which could be reviewed and endorsed during TPT-WG 18. In particular, 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).

The participants endorsed a U.S. proposal to hold an intercessional meeting for APEC aviation security experts in June 2000 in Hawaii. The United States noted that it was important that modes take the opportunity to assess their individual security objectives so that they can contribute in an effective manner to a multimodal discussion with the experts group. The draft program for the meeting was reviewed and it was noted that other regional aviation security bodies such as the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), the Latin American Civil Aviation Conference (LACAC) and the North American Aviation Security Group, as well as ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) would be invited to give presentations. The United States agreed to notify the Steering Committee on Safe and Environment-friendly Transportation Systems that it plans to invite these organizations to address the intercessional meeting in June. The United States also agreed to add the topic of multimodal transportation security issues to the meeting agenda. The United States noted that it will provide a formal invitation to all Economies within the next few weeks. The delegates agreed to let the United States know if their Economy would be interested in providing a presentation at this meeting.

Regarding administrative issues, the delegates decided that, since the decision to make the experts group multimodal in nature was only determined at this meeting, all Economies should indicate who will be most appropriate to represent their Economies by the next meeting. The floor was opened to nominations for a chair and/or co-chair for the experts group. After some discussion, it was decided that the United States would serve as interim chair to coordinate intercessional efforts and that a permanent chair and/or co-chair would be appointed at TPT-WG 18.

Recommendations to the Steering Committee:

• endorse the establishment of a Transportation Security Experts Group;
• note that Economies will work intercessionally to develop a revised terms of reference for review at TPT-WG 18;
• note that the delegates endorsed a proposal by the United States to host an intercessional aviation security working meeting in June 2000 in Hawaii;
• note that the United States will work with the APEC Secretariat, the Lead Shepherd and the Transportation Working Group to gain endorsement for ICAO, IATA and representatives from ECAC, LACAC and the North American Aviation Security Group as presenters at the working meeting;
• note that Economies should notify the United States if they are interested in giving presentations at the intercessional aviation security working meeting;
• note that the United States will serve as interim Chair until a permanent chair and/or co-chair can be selected at TPT-WG 18.

This page was last updated on 15 May 2000