About

AusPECC is leading a PECC Signature Project on the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (the PECC FTAAP Project). The PECC FTAAP Project is about giving more substance to the notion of an FTAAP.  It is an opportunity to engage APEC economies, businesses and academics to develop a longer-term vision for trade and economic collaboration in the region.

 

The goal is to support greater cooperation on trade and other economic issues, to build deeper understanding of the key drivers of future economic growth and welfare, and to help APEC chart a stronger, collective path to capture more fully the benefits of regional economic integration. See the concept note on the Project here.

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Taskforce

 

The project is guided by a high-level task force, chaired by the Hon. Dr Craig Emerson. The taskforce includes PECC representatives from Australian (AusPECC), Canada (CANCPEC), Chile (ChilPECC), China (CNPEC), New Zealand (NZPECC) and Thailand. Representatives from other PECC economies are welcome to join. The Project Taskforce meets on an ad hoc basis to discuss project progress, guide outcomes and develop ideas.

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See here for summaries of Taskforce meetings:

Meeting December 2023

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Events

 

Several dialogues and meetings have been held under the project, bringing together policy makers, business and the academic community across PECC and APEC to discuss the project work and share perspectives on some of the key questions the Project seeks to address.

 

• High level dialogue held on the sidelines of the ABAC 1 meeting in Brisbane Australia in February 2025 to commence the next phase of the project, including identifying key new areas of work, building on existing work and prioritising regional outreach and engagement. See the meeting agenda here and a summary of the outcomes here.
   

• Informal online dialogue on the project, July 2024. See the Meeting agenda, a summary of the discussion and watch a recording of the Meeting.
   

• In an Informal meeting on the project, held in Seattle USA on the margins of the APEC Senior Officials Meeting, with the assistance of NCAPEC, August 2023. ​See the Meeting agenda, a summary of the outcomes of the meeting and watch a recording of the Meeting.
   

• Virtual Dialogue on “FTAAP - Charting a Pathway for Trade in a Turbulent Time.” May 2023.​ See the Dialogue agenda, a Background Note on the Dialogue and the summary of the outcomes of the Dialogue. Watch a recording of the Dialogue.

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Policy papers

 

The initial phase of the Project focused on three topics - Trade and Climate Change, Professional Services and Mutual Recognition, and Services and Good Regulatory Practice. Further topics will be explored as part of the next phase.

 

Policy briefs on each topic explore potential outcomes to inform an eventual FTAAP over the longer term. The briefs aim to help drive practical outcomes and serve as a conversation starter about why openness, collaboration, and integration delivers benefits to the region.  

 

Services and Good Regulatory Practice ​​​

• Policy Brief on Good Regulatory Practice for Services in APEC: Precedents, Principles and Challenges ahead for FTAAP

• Discussion paper on Services and Good Regulatory Practice | Presentation slides

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Trade and Climate Change

• Policy Brief on Trade and Climate Change

• Discussion paper on Trade and Climate Change | Presentation slides

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Professional Services and Mutual Recognition

• Mutual Recognition of Professional Services: Promoting more open and integrated services for the region’s prosperity

• Discussion paper on Professional Services and Mutual Recognition | ​Presentation slides​

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Contact

 

AusPECC welcomes input and interest in the project from the APEC Community. Please contact us at info@auspecc.org.au for further information.

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