1. The United States chaired the second Transportation Security Experts Group meeting on Monday, April 2, 2001. Twelve economies attended including Australia; Brunei Darussalam; China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; New Zealand; Philippines; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; and the United States.

2. The Chair reminded delegates 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.

3. The Chair further emphasized the need to identify appropriate aviation, maritime, and land transportation security contacts that could participate in the Transportation Security Experts Group. The Chair again asked economies to submit appropriate security experts・ contact information.

4. The United States reported on the Aviation Security Subgroup・s first formal meeting, which was held in Singapore March 27-29, 2001, and in which 19 participants from nine economies participated (TPTWG19/SCSE/TS/4.) The Subgroup established parameters from which it will conduct its work, specifying that it will meet at least annually with appropriate reporting to the Transportation Security Experts Group and setting forth five strategic objectives on which the Subgroup will focus. These include: unruly and disruptive passengers; hold baggage screening; security equipment standards and testing procedures; human factors and training; and improving communication and participation in the Subgroup. The Philippines and New Zealand will respectively chair/co-chair the Subgroup, which will meet again in Subic Bay, the Philippines, in October 2001.

5. The participants reviewed and updated the Terms of Reference (attached.) The Chair then led a discussion concerning further development of the group・s work plan. The Aviation Security Subgroup already set forth its strategic objectives. For the Maritime Security Subgroup, cruise ship security and fraudulent documents for mariners were identified as topics deserving focus in the future.

6. In preparation for the forthcoming Ministerial meeting, the Maritime Security Subgroup had addressed the problem of piracy and armed robbery at sea. As a result of this work, the Transportation Security Experts Group:

a. noted the International Maritime Organization・s development of the following instruments for use in preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery at sea:

• Recommendations to Governments for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships, MSC/Circ. 622/Rev.1, 16 June 1999;
• Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships, MSC/Circ. 623/Rev.1, 16 June 1999;
• Directives for Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs), MSC/Circ. 967, 6 June 2000;
• Interim Procedures for MRCCs on Receipt of Distress Alerts, MSC/Circ. 959, 20 June 2000;
• Draft Code of Practice for the Investigation of the Crimes of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships, MSC/Circ. 984, 20 Dec. 2000; and
• Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, with its Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf, Rome, 10 March 1988.

b. noted the Oil Companies International Marine Forum publication, ：Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships: Code of Practice for Countermeasures for use by Terminal Operators and other Shore Authorities,； 1st ed. 2000;

c. noted the May 10, 2001, United Nations Headquarters meeting to discuss coordination and cooperation in combating piracy and armed robbery at sea. This meeting is part of the second UN Informal Open-ended Consultative Process on the Oceans, 7-11 May 2001, which is intended to formulate recommendations for consideration by the next UN General Assembly meeting to be held in the fall of 2001; and

d. encouraged economies to participate in the above meeting or to brief their Permanent Representatives with details of the real problems, stressing the urgent need for international cooperation and coordination in suppressing this threat to maritime security and safety.

7. Indonesia presented an information paper on a proposal to establish regional cooperation in accident investigations and transportation safety. The Chair thanked Indonesia for this informative report and suggested that it also be presented at the Steering Committee for Safe and Environment-friendly Transportation Systems. Brunei and Singapore concurred that this was an important issue that APEC should address.

8. The Chair recognized a report submitted by the United States titled ：Surface Transportation Security: Vulnerabilities and Developing Solutions,； (TPTWG19/SCSE/TS/2 and 3) noting that it was a substantial contribution to the understanding of the range of problems facing surface transportation and of promising approaches to solving them.

9. The Chair presented a brief oral report on the work in progress to develop a rail ：land bridge； from Singapore to Rotterdam and pointed out some of the security concerns for intermodal transportation that might arise from such a development.

10. The floor was opened to nominations for a Transportation Security Experts Group chair and/or co-chair. The United States was nominated, and accepted, chairmanship of the group.

Recommendations to the Steering Committee:

• encourage economies to forward appropriate aviation, maritime, and land transport security points of contact to the modal subgroups;
• note that the Transportation Security Experts Group will work with the Maritime Safety Experts Group to address Asia Pacific piracy concerns at the next Ministerial and that the groups submitted language for the Ministerial Statement;
• note that the Philippines will chair and New Zealand will co-chair the Aviation Security Subgroup;
• note that the Aviation Security Subgroup will work towards developing standards in aviation security, taking into consideration current internationally recognized standards, and as a first step, will address five strategic objectives;
• encourage the Transportation Ministers to recognize the importance and viability of the Aviation Security Subgroup efforts thus far;
• note that the United States will Chair the Transportation Security Experts Group;
• encourage APEC security experts to participate in the May 10, 2001, United Nations Headquarters meeting, which will discuss coordination and cooperation in combating piracy and armed robbery at sea; and
• note the urgent need for international cooperation and coordination in suppressing this threat (i.e., piracy and armed robbery at sea) to maritime security and safety.

1. Establish a framework and process to increase cooperation and communication between Economy transportation security representatives 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, economy, and efficiency.

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

4. Exchange information and establish relationships with other recognized regional transportation security bodies (for example within Europe, Latin America, and Africa), the private sector, and associations. Compile a database of related international initiatives, completed and ongoing, in other international fora.

5. Increase cooperation among regional Economies and international organizations with regard to transportation security initiatives.

This page was last updated on 3 May,  2001