Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to take advantage of the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific region. The 21 members of APEC aim to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth while accelerating regional economic integration. Within the APEC structure, there are several steering committees and working groups employed in different sectors. One of such areas is that of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which is recognised as very important for business, trade and ultimately economic growth. ICT is part of the mandate of the APEC Working Group on Telecommunications and Information (TEL).
APEC Cybersecurity Strategy
https://ccdcoe-admin.aku.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/APEC-020823-CyberSecurityStrategy.pdf
This document contains recommendations on cybercrime legislation, security and technical guidelines, public awareness, training and education.
LIMA Declaration
https://ccdcoe-admin.aku.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/APEC-050603-LimaDeclaration.pdf
This document aims to improve the information infrastructure to advance Information Society; the Declaration also addresses the issue of network security and the importance of the creation of computer emergencies response teams.
APEC Strategy to Ensure Trusted, Secure and Sustainable Online Environment
file:///C:/Users/loren/Downloads/05_TEL_APECStrategy.pdf
This strategy expands APEC's work on the promotion of information and network security, harmonization of frameworks for transaction and communication security, and the fight against cybercrime.
TEL Strategic Action Plan: 2010-2015
This document lays the foundations for the Organisation's strategic plan for the five-year period 2015/2020. The primary objectives for the period are: 1) to develop ICT which promote growth; 2) to improve socio-economic activities through the use of ICT; 3) to promote a secure and reliable ICT environment; 4) to promote regional economic integration; 5) to strengthen cooperation in the ICT sector.
APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group Strategic Action Plan 2016-2020
file:///C:/Users/loren/Downloads/20150331_APEC%20TEL%20Strategic%20Action%20Plan%202016-2020.pdf
This document outlines the path to follow for the four-year period 2016/2020. The primary objectives to be achieved are: 1) to develop and support ICT innovation; 2) to promote a secure, resilient and shared ICT environment; 3) to promote regional economic integration; 4) to improve the digital and internet economy; 5) to strengthen cooperation.
Bogor Goals
https://www.apec.org/About-Us/About-APEC/Fact-Sheets/Bogor-Goals
The Bogor Declaration did not dictate specific actions, but provided guidance: Member economies had to implement unilateral policies or negotiate bilateral, regional or multilateral agreements, provided that they were consistent with General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) rules, and eventually those of its successor, the World Trade Organization. The agreements delivered a gradual standardisation of security levels for IT infrastructure facilitating trade while ensuring high security standards.
Osaka Action Agenda
https://www.apec.org/Publications/1995/12/Osaka-Action-Agenda-1995
This document represented the operational plan establishing the process of liberalisation and facilitation of the economies of Member Countries. The goal was to achieve market openings and the creation of tax-free zones no later than 2010 for industrialised countries and 2020 for the developing countries. The agenda also foresaw the reshaping of security protocols in the field of cyberspace and strategic infrastructures to guarantee the endogenous and exogenous security of the new developing area.
Framework for enhanced economic cooperation and development
https://www.apec.org/Meeting-Papers/Annual-Ministerial-Meetings/1996/1996_amm/framewrk_secd
The most ambitious objective that was set at this meeting was to reach a multilateral agreement on the planning of a free trade area. The creation of a free trade area goes hand in hand with the creation of an area as homogeneous as possible from the point of view of information security. In order to achieve this goal States must move forward towards increasing investments in telecommunications, digital security and cybersecurity defence.
Beijing Roadmap for APEC's contribution to the implementation of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area (FTAAP)
https://www.apec.org/Meeting-Papers/Leaders-Declarations/2014/2014_aelm/2014_aelm_annexa.aspx
This document argues that ALSAP should have been structured in a more ambitious way than a liberalisation process in its strictest sense. In fact, it should be global, of high quality and should recognise and address "next generation" trade and investment issues, with an eye to cyber security so as to protect goods’ free movement.
LIMA Declaration on FTAAP
https://www.apec.org/Meeting-Papers/Leaders-Declarations/2016/2016_aelm/2016_Annex-A
This document outlines the most important targets for 2020. Namely, to advance the process in a comprehensive and systematic way towards the possible implementation of ALSAP as the main instrument to promote further regional economic integration of APEC’s agenda, to achieve Bogor's objectives by 2020, to promote further regional economic integration, to complete the FTAAP project outside APEC but in parallel with it and, finally, to complete as efficiently as possible the process of standardisation of digital security protocols among Member Countries.
Budget and Management Committee
https://www.apec.org/Groups/Budget-and-Management-Committee
The Budget and Management Committee (BMC) advises the Assembly of Senior Officials (SOM) on budgetary, administrative and management issues. Its key responsibility is to prepare APEC’s budget, to approve and recommend APEC’s funding for projects including, of course, cybersecurity projects.
Economic Committee
https://www.apec.org/Groups/Economic-Committee
The Economic Committee was set up in 1994 with the aim to dictate the economic policy-line of the organisation. It meets twice a year. Among its responsibilities, there is also the monitoring of economic investments in the field of digital security.
Trade and Investment Committee
https://www.apec.org/Groups/Committee-on-Trade-and-Investment
The Trade and Investment Committee (CTI) provides a forum for the 21 APEC economies to deliberate on trade and policy issues. It works to reduce impediments to trade in the areas outlined in the Osaka Agenda for Action, with the aim of helping APEC economies to achieve free and open trade, and investments. The Committee also has expertise in cyber security in relation to safeguarding trade and ensuring efficient investments.
Steering Committee for Economic and Technical Cooperation
https://www.apec.org/Groups/SOM-Steering-Committee-on-Economic-and-Technical-Cooperation
The Steering Committee for Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE) of APEC senior officials coordinates and manages the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agenda (ECOTECH) of APEC Members, which is outlined in the Osaka Action Agenda. It is entrusted with the task of encouraging the standardisation of digital security protocols among member countries.
Business Advisory Council
https://www.apec.org/Groups/Other-Groups/APEC-Business-Advisory-Council
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is the private sector arm of the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. The main mandate of this Council is to advise APEC leaders and other officials on issues of business interests. The ABAC responds also to requests from various APEC subgroups for information on business perspectives on specific areas of cooperation, including infrastructure for the protection of digital platforms. The Council has the task of establishing a link between the political decision-making part of the organisation and the private industrial sectors of Member Countries.