By Linda Khoo Hui Li
BANGKOK, Feb 24 (NNN-Bernama) — The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies are considering harmonisation and interoperability mechanisms in bid to resume safe and seamless cross-border travel in the region.
Chair of APEC Safe Passage Taskforce Cherdchai Chaivaivid said reconnecting the region is a priority and an urgent task to support economic recovery and at the same time, reemphasise APEC’s relevancy and efficiency.
“APEC economies are committed to the safe resumption of travel in the region by considering harmonisation and interoperability mechanisms in a bid to facilitate the movement of people and reconnect business mobility in the Asia-Pacific.
“It is crucial that we coordinate our policies and move towards harmonisation. We need to make certain that we deliver something meaningful and practical by at least this May; otherwise, it will be too late,” Cherdchai, who is also Thailand’s APEC senior official, said in a statement.
On Monday, the Safe Passage Taskforce assessed several proposals and policy actions that complement global travel initiatives, while addressing gaps and concerns – such as how to ensure that the resumption of travel will be inclusive and non-discriminatory.
Member economies presented their proposals for contributing to the safe resumption of cross-border travel, including non-binding principles for the interoperability of vaccination certificates in the region, which will support the smooth operation of international travel.
Cherdchai said the proposals would lay a solid foundation in safe passage for APEC for long-term resilience.
“Having a set of principles will guide APEC to work towards interoperability and safe and sustainable travel, as well as enhance connectivity,” he said.
Cherdchai said leaders and ministers have been extremely clear in their directives for APEC to facilitate safe and seamless resumption of cross-border travel, especially through promoting information exchange and coordinating measures related to cross-border movement of people, including in relation to air and maritime crew, and COVID-19 testing and vaccination certificates.
“APEC ministers also committed to explore specific initiatives, solutions, and best practices to facilitate safe travel in the region, paving the way for a return to people moving across borders for business, tourism as well as for educational purposes,” he said.
Thailand is this year’s APEC Chair. Established in 1989, the regional economic forum currently comprise 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim.
— NNN-BERNAMA