Alongside other APEC economies, Thailand has made significant strides in developing transport and logistics over the past years, introducing high-speed rail lines, modernising airports and high-capacity docks. All of this progress was undercut, however, by the limitations on travel brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated strict border controls and restrictions on the movements of people and goods.
Hosting APEC in 2022, Thailand focused conversations around transport on the important and immediate requirement of reconnecting the region with safety and seamlessness, so advanced transport systems could be used to their full potential.
The focal point for this effort was the APEC Safe Passage Taskforce, or SPTF, which met for the first time in February 2022. The taskforce was established on recommendations from APEC business leaders and given the duty of coordinating cross-border travel resumption in accordance with this year’s priority of "Connect in All Dimensions".
The SPTF met three times this year on the side-lines of each APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and was able to plot a way forward to travel in the post COVID-19 era at its third and final meeting on 24 August 2022.
Most importantly to the panel was that travel within and to the Asia-Pacific region would be crisis-proof and resilient to obstacles, including pandemics.
Three key issues were underlined as the essence of the SPTF’s effort. First was "engagement with key stakeholders to ensure that APEC’s work complements global safe passage initiatives.”
Second was "translating proposals and initiatives into a meaningful implementation that contributes to safer and more seamless travel.”
Third and lastly, the taskforce underscored "the importance of preparedness and building resilience for cross-border travel within the region," highlighting the need for an "APEC mechanism to carry out APEC’s safe passage coordination.”
Major progress made by the SPTF during the year included securing endorsement for "Voluntary Principles on Interoperability of Vaccination Certificates" as proposed by Australia, and the creation of an APEC Information Portal for Safe Passage where crucial guidance on traveling between APEC economies can be accessed.
The Thailand-chaired SPTF, which included discussions on the use of technology to improve cross-border travel while protecting health and safety, was crucial to APEC achieving the reconnection it sought after the alleviation of the COVID-19 epidemic.
With safe passage for people and commerce on track, APEC is poised to fully utilise the advanced transport systems its economies have established in recent years.
