APEC progress since Chile 2004

Four years ago, then-President Ricardo Lagos took this picture that circled the globe. The snapshot shows him alongside 21 leaders of APEC economies, who came to Santiago for the Forum’s 12th session. In the coming weeks, a similar photo op will occur in Lima. The question that arises is how much progress has been made vis-à-vis the Chile 2004 Forum’s commitments? Today, we will try to answer this question.

"We have gathered in Santiago for the 12th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting under the theme of APEC 2004, 'One Community, Our Future'. We reaffirm our commitment to achieve sustainable and equitable growth and reduce economic disparities for the well-being of our people…" So began the first paragraph of the Santiago Declaration, which was signed in November 2004 by APEC’s 21 leaders. Four years on, the Asia-Pacific Portal asked three experts to comment on how much progress has been made vis-à-vis the Declaration.

"One of APEC’s main objectives is to liberalize and facilitate trade throughout the region. While there has been progress, it has mainly emerged via bilateral FTAs - similar to those signed by Chile – rather than through region-wide accords," says Veronica Neghme, Deputy Director of the Institute for Pacific Studies at Universidad Gabriela Mistral.

In this respect, the academic believes more progress has occurred in the facilitation of trade. "Today there is a better system of customs and ports, in general. There is also technical cooperation in progress: Japan, China and Korea are highly imbued with this spirit and the countries of Latin America have received this support."

Another expert on APEC is Marcela Caceres, who works at the International Affairs Unit of the BCN’s Congressional Research Service. She believes that one of the major achievements of APEC has been the generation of clearer rules for trade development. "APEC has made progress in its development of its policies that regulate intellectual property protection, promotion of the digital economy and in the fundamental issues of human safety and improving the business climate in the region. These include concerns about increasing investment flows. In November, the strength of this progress will be tested, which should contribute to stability in the Pacific."



Energy security is another area which, according to Martin Perez Le-Fort, has experienced a limited degree of progress. Perez-LeFort is the director of the Asia-Pacific Center, which is part of the Universidad de Chile’s Institute of International Studies. “(Two) of the main factors which have improved energy security are the predictability of markets and the transparency of information regarding reserves of products such as crude oil, which is the region’s main energy source. Another issue is the effort to secure energy sources at the sub-regional level, as in the case of ASEAN. Although this is still at a nascent stage," he explains.

Finally, Le-Fort says that maritime safety has experienced a positive trend. "There is now a more transparent application of (maritime) standards that apply to sea shipping. This is largely thanks to the American concern regarding terrorism.  Without going into any great detail, processes have been standardized, making them more rigorous. An example is the use of scanners on containers, in addition to protocols for the loading and unloading of freight."

It is clear is that all three experts agree that while there is progress in the areas mentioned, the fact that APEC must reach a consensus among its large membership means that the remaining goals will be achieved on a longer time line. "It will be difficult to reach agreement given so many different points of view and in response to different political realities. We must learn from the Asians and get used to the fact that these processes are long," concludes Neghme.

To see the official statement of the 12th Meeting of APEC Leaders click here.