About

​

AusPECC and the Canadian National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (CANCPEC) are jointly leading a PECC proposal to provide a set of recommendations to contribute to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) General Review for Chapter 14 on Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce). A key objective is to promote the enhancement of the e-commerce provisions of the agreement so that it can contribute to more collaborative, open and integrated economies across the Asia-Pacific region. 

​

The project will provide a set of recommendations on how to enhance Chapter 14, drawing on the expertise across PECC member networks. The recommendations will be presented to the CPTPP Commission during Australia’s year as CPTPP Chair in 2025. See the project proposal here.

​

AusPECC has assembled a team of digital trade experts to contribute to the project, led by Grace Gown.

​

Background

​

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement between 11 economies in the Asia-Pacific: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. To ensure that the CPTPP remains of the highest possible standard, and its disciplines continue to be relevant to trade and investment issues, CPTPP members have agreed for the general review of the CPTPP to begin in 2024 under the chairmanship of Canada, and to continue with Australia as chair in 2025.

 

The review provides an opportunity to review and update Chapter 14 on E-Commerce - an area which has undergone rapid advancements in digitalization and e-commerce over the last decade. A PECC multistakeholder review can provide recommendations to ensure the agreement promotes interoperability and new 'gold standards' for the region. Recommendations can also inform existing Free Trade Agreements and digital trade frameworks to identify best practices.

​

Events

​

A hybrid roundtable was convened in November 2024 to launch the project. This event was the first gathering of more than fifteen digital trade experts from eleven APEC economies to discuss how to ensure the CPTPP remains of the highest possible standard for the region in a time of rapid digital advancements. PECC committees, experts and participants discussed expected outcomes and objectives and exchanged views on the possible scope for the overall Chapter 14 review. Read the outcomes of the meeting here.

​

A second virtual roundtable discussion was held in February 2025. Read the outcomes of the meeting here.

​

Next Steps

​

AusPECC’s team will be working collaboratively with CANCPEC and other PECC experts on the project during 2025.

​​

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

​