APEC 2011 Update

Image via Wikipedia

Current work

APEC voluntary reviews of institutional frameworks and processes for reforms

The Impact of Business Mobility in Reducing Trade Transaction Costs in APEC

The contribution of standards and conformity assessment measures in reducing trade transaction costs in APEC

The Mutual Usefulness between APEC and TPP

Completed workThe Impacts and Benefits of Structural Reforms in the Transport, Energy and Telecommunications Sectors, January 2011

Key Trends and Developments Relating to Trade and Investment Measures and Their Impact on the APEC Region – November 2010

Progressing towards the APEC Bogor Goals Perspectives of the APEC Policy Support Unit, November 2010Trade in Services in the APEC Region: Patterns, Determinants, and Policy Implications, October 2010

SME Market Access and Internationalization: Medium-term KPIs for the SMEWG Strategic Plan – June 2010

StatsAPEC: APEC’s statistics portal

The Economic Impact of Enhanced Multimodal Connectivity in the APEC Region

Key Trends and Developments Relating to Trade and Investment Measures and Their Impact on the APEC Region – May 2010

Key Trends and Developments Relating to Trade and Investment Measures and Their Impact on the APEC Region – November 2009

Study on Good Regulatory Practices for Goods and Services Necessary or Desirable for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation – October 2009

Trade Creation in the APEC Region: Measurement of the Magnitude of and Changes in Intra-regional Trade since APEC’s Inception – October 2009

Cross-border Investment Linkages among APEC Economies: the Case of Portfolio Investment and Bank Lending – October 2009

Cross-border Investment Linkages among APEC Economies: The Case of Foreign Direct Investment – October 2009

Measuring Progress in Implementing APEC’s IFAP: Establishing a methodology and selecting key performance indicators – October 2009

A Results-oriented approach to APEC’s Supply Chain Connectivity Initiative – October 2009

Handbook for “The APEC Voluntary Reviews of Institutional Frameworks and Processes for Structural Reform” – October 2009

Improving food markets in APEC economies: can the cost of food be lowered? – September 2009

The Links Between Trade, Investment and Structural Reform – August 2008

Logistics: Connectivity for Goods and Services – February 2009

The Global Economic Crisis: Effective Responses and Policy Strategies to Address the Human Impact – July 2009

Related Articles

• Counting down to APEC 2011 Hawaii (thecommunicatorwv.wordpress.com)
• APEC summit calls for free trade area (reuters.com)
• APEC summit calls for free trade area -statement (reuters.com)
• APEC agrees existing pacts will lead to giant FTA – Reuters (news.google.com)
• APEC admits failing to achieve 2010 free trade milestone (business.inquirer.net)
• APEC leaders see progress in achieving Bogor Goals, but challenge remains – Xinhua (news.google.com)
• APEC leaders commit to pursue free trade, address currency issues (business.inquirer.net)
• APEC: Information Technologies Key to Growth (techdailydose.nationaljournal.com)
• Apec leaders call for free trade (bbc.co.uk)
• Hillary Clinton Prepares for Cumbre APEC Agenda (freaknewsdaily.com)
• Blog Post: TI Live @ APEC 2011 – March 6-10 in Fort Worth (e2e.ti.com)
• Clinton pushes free, fair trade agenda for APEC (reuters.com)
• Standards education vital for global business needs, says Asia-Pacific Economic Group (eurekalert.org)
• Apec Al Ouma Dieupeul 4 Groupe 4 : Senegal (kiva.org)
• Apec Al Ouma Gueume Sa Bopp 1 Group : Senegal (kiva.org)
• Apec Al Ouma Cellule Mekhe Group : Senegal (kiva.org)
• Apec Al Ouma Ngor Groupe 2 : Senegal (kiva.org)
• Who will write Asia-Pacific trade rules for Asia? (japantimes.co.jp)
• TPP talks too slow to make APEC summit (search.japantimes.co.jp)
• Moana Nui Set to “Undress” APEC – IPS ipsnews.net (aboriginalpress.blogspot.com)
• APEC 2011 Host Committee Releases Current List of Speakers, Panelists and Select Attendees (damontucker.com)
• APEC 2011 Road Closures, Parking Restrictions and General Convention Center Area Rules (damontucker.com)
• Japan to soon decide on joining Pacific free trade zone (ctv.ca)
• Japan to decide on joining Pacific trade pact (seattlepi.com)
• Japan to decide on joining Pacific trade pact (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Hyatt Announces Plans for Two New Hotels in Vladivostok, Russia – Golden Horn and Burny properties to open prior to 2012 APEC summit (hotelier.typepad.com)
• Walmart boosts commitment to female-owned firms (sfgate.com)

Breaking News from CNN

– Student at Ohio’s Youngstown State University killed, 11 others wounded in off-campus shooting, officials say.

Related Articles

• Police: 1 dead, 11 shot at Ohio fraternity house (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Police: 1 dead, 11 shot at Ohio fraternity house (thenewstribune.com)

Tunisia Today (VOA News)

The self-immolation in December of a disenfranchised university graduate is widely believed to have provided the spark for widespread protests in Tunisia. Within weeks, those protests led to the toppling of the country’s autocratic regime.

The ingredients that fueled the change in Tunisia can be found in many other countries of the Middle East and Africa – high unemployment, deplorable living standards, repressive governments, and a lack of basic freedoms. Add to this mix another element – a young population, educated, and well-connected through Facebook, Twitter and other social media – and one is left to wonder where the next spark might ignite.

Related Articles

• Tunisian Women Fear as Islamist Leader Returns (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• Saudi Arabia Man Dies After Setting Himself on Fire (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• 2 dead in Tunisia after police open fire on demonstrators (cnn.com)
• Tunisia’s tourism plunged 40 pct amid Jan. unrest (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• 2 dead in Tunisia after police open fire on demonstrators – CNN International (news.google.com)

Lebanon Update (VOA News)

Issue at a Glance Since independence from France, Lebanon’s government has been shared by Christian, Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims according to a 1943 formula that accorded majority power to Christians.  This formula has remained in place, failing to reflect changing demographics:  the president would be Christian; the prime minister, Sunni Muslim; and the head of parliament, Shi’ite.  All religions would have positions in parliament, ranked by the size of religious communities. Struggles for power within Lebanon also reflect wider struggles between Lebanon and Israel, Syria, and Iran. Syria has vacillated vis-à-vis Lebanon, reflecting its dual fears that Lebanon could emerge either as a Christian state that would side with Israel, or a radical Islamic state. In 2005, former Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri was assassinated.  A U.N. Tribunal, as of early 2011, looked ready to accuse the Syrian-backed Hezbollah group.  Hezbollah-backed parties resigned from government, forcing its collapse. President Michel Slieman has named Syrian/Iranian favorite, Najib Mikati, as prime minister.

Muslim Brotherhood to Begin Talks with Egyptian VP

Photo: AP / Mohammed Abu Zaid

Muslim Brotherhood seniors Essam el-Erian, center right, and Saad el-Katatni, center left, take part in a protest in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011.

Share This

• Digg
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon
• Yahoo! Buzz
• del.icio.us

Related Articles

• Protesters in US Seek New Policies Toward Middle East
• Egyptian Youth Vow to Transform Their Society
• Top Egyptian Ruling Party Leadership Quits
• US Supports Egyptian Reform Plans

Egypt’s largest opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood, says it will begin talks with with Egypt’s Vice President Omar Suleiman on the public’s right to protest safely and the possible exit of President Hosni Mubarak, who has held office for 30 years.

Suleiman has met with other opposition supporters, but this would be the first time the Muslim Brotherhood has taken part.

Anti-government protesters have filled Cairo’s Tahrir Square for more than 12 days, calling for the president to step down. Mr. Mubarak has refused, but says he will not seek re-election in September.

Saturday, a top leadership body of Egypt’s ruling party resigned. Egyptian state television reported the policy-making committee of the National Democratic Party stepped down, including the president’s son, Gamal Mubarak.  But the report said Mr. Mubarak remains the party’s head.

Key Players in Egypt’s Crisis President Hosni Mubarak: The 82-year-old has ruled Egypt for 30 years as leader of the National Democratic Party. Egypt’s longest-serving president came to power after the assassination of his predecessor, Anwar Sadat. Mohamed ElBaradei: The Nobel Peace laureate and former Egyptian diplomat has gained international attention as a vocal critic of Mr. Mubarak and his government. Until recently he headed the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency, and he has lived outside Egypt for years. ElBaradei founded the nonpartisan movement National Association for Change, and has offered to lead a transitional administration in Egypt if Mr. Mubarak steps down. Vice President Omar Suleiman: The new Egyptian vice president has served as head of intelligence and is a close ally of President Mubarak. He earned international respect for his role as a mediator in Middle East affairs and for curbing Islamic extremism. Ayman Nour: The political dissident founded the Al Ghad or “tomorrow” party. Nour ran against Mr. Mubarak in the 2005 election and was later jailed on corruption charges. The government released him in 2009 under pressure from the United States and other members of the international community. Muslim Brotherhood: The Islamic fundamentalist organization is outlawed in Egypt, but remains the largest opposition group. Its members previously held 20 percent of the seats in parliament, but lost them after a disputed election in late 2010. The group leads a peaceful political and social movement aimed at forming an Islamic state.

The report said the party’s secretary general, Safwat el-Sharif, resigned and has been replaced.   Western news reports say the policy-making committee was comprised of six members who had long been part of Egypt’s political establishment.  

Meanwhile, demonstrators braved rainy weather Saturday in Tahrir Square, despite the urging of a senior army official who entered the square with a loudspeaker and made an unsuccessful attempt to get protesters to go home.  The protesters also resisted the military’s attempts to remove their barricades.

Opposition protesters had declared Friday the “day of departure” for Mr. Mubarak.  Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Cairo and other cities where they called for his immediate resignation.  In a Thursday interview with ABC,  Mr. Mubarak said he would like to leave office now but fears the move would cause Egypt to sink deeper into chaos.   

The United Nations estimates more than 300 people have died and thousands have been wounded in Egypt since the unrest erupted in late January.

Egypt (VOA News)

Thousands of Egyptians have taken to the streets to challenge the 30-year rule of their leader, President Hosni Mubarak. Observers believe they were inspired by the recent Tunisian uprising, which culminated in the removal of their strongman, President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. Feeling politically and economically disenfranchised by Mubarak’s regime, with many of their basic freedoms suppressed, Egyptians have organized rallies and a campaign of civil disobedience that are unprecedented. The protesters’ basic demands:  an end to Mubarak’s rule and the establishment of a democratically-elected government that represents the interests of the Egyptian people.

US-Russia START Treaty Go Into Effect (VOA News)

Photo: AP

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov smile after finalizing the New START treaty during the Conference on Security Policy in Munich, Germany, February 5, 2011

Share This

• Digg
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon
• Yahoo! Buzz
• del.icio.us

Related Articles

• Russian Duma Approves New START With US

The New START nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and Russia has taken effect. The agreement will reduce both countries’ stockpiles of strategic arms, and will reinstate mutual inspections.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov exchanged documents at the Munich, Germany Security Conference Saturday, formally putting the treaty into force.

New START will reduce the limit on U.S. and Russian strategic warheads within seven years, from 2,200 to 1,550.  The agreement will be in effect for ten years.

Both sides are required to exchange information about the numbers, locations and characteristics of the weapons covered by the treaty within 45 days.

The U.S. and Russia can start inspecting each other’s arsenals after 60 days.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the treaty last April in Prague.

The U.S. Senate ratified New START December 22, after a contentious debate between its advocates and some Republican senators who had concerns about the treaty and sought to block it.

Shortly afterward, Mr. Obama said New START was needed to allow inspections to resume. “This is the most significant arms control agreement in nearly two decades, and it will make us safer and reduce our nuclear arsenals along with Russia’s.  With this treaty, our inspectors will also be back on the ground at Russian nuclear bases, so we will be able to trust, but verify,” he said.

U.S. defense officials say neither country has conducted any inspections since the 1991 START One treaty expired in December, 2009.

In praising the ratification of New START in December, the president said approval of the treaty would strengthen the important relationship between the United States and Russia. “We will continue to advance our relationship with Russia, which is essential to making progress on a host of challenges, from enforcing strong sanctions on Iran to preventing nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists.  And this treaty will enhance our leadership to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and seek the peace of a world without them,” he said.

The upper house of Russia’s parliament, the Federation Council, ratified the treaty on January 26.

Sudan InFocus (VOA News)

Image via Wikipedia

• 20 People Killed In Sudanese Troop Shootout
• Sudanese Artist Says Awareness Can Prevent Mass Killings
• Video: Sudan Defining Moment
• Sudanese Activists Hope to Follow Tunisia and Egypt, Despite Different Circumstances
• Journalists Arrested as Crackdown Continues in Khartoum
• Tripartite Group Sees Peace in Darfur by July
• Africans Debate Wisdom of Expected Secession of Southern Sudan

Related Articles

• “Egypt Protest Leaders Meet With Prime Minister” and related posts (huffingtonpost.com)
• You: 99% south Sudanese want secession (guardian.co.uk)
• South Sudan Celebrates as Referendum Results Confirmed (thecommunicatorwv.wordpress.com)
• Protests Spread to Sudan (newser.com)
• Nearly all southern Sudanese voted for secession – The Guardian (news.google.com)
• Sudan’s Bashir vows freedoms and open government (reuters.com)
• Communists Complain Islamist Sudan Arresting Their “Journalists” (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• Negotiations resume in Sudan (one.org)
• Lakes state welcomes referendum results – Sudan Tribune (news.google.com)
• Southern Sudan Set for Historic Independence Vote (time.com)
• Sudanese Army Kills 6 Instead of Leaving Seceded South (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• “Cairo – Egypt Ruling Party Leaders Resign But Regime Holds” and related posts (feeds.vosizneias.com)

Daily Snapshot – US Department of Defense

Sunday, February 06, 2011 PRESS/MEDIA QUERIES >>

Today In DOD     Today in the Department of Defense Sunday, February 06, 2011Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

News Photos 2/4/2011 2/4/2011 2/4/2011 2/4/2011 2/4/2011   2/4/2011 2/4/2011 2/3/2011 2/3/2011 2/3/2011 U.S. ARMY SOLDIERS IN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES WAIT AS BUNDLES OF FUEL ARE AIR DELIVERED. -  U.S. Army soldiers in four-wheel drive vehicles wait as bundles of fuel are air delivered by a C-17 Globemaster III to Forward Operating Base Waza K’wah in Paktika province, Afghanistan, on Jan. 30, 2011. The soldiers are assigned to the 101st Airborne Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team. DoD photo by the U.S. Army. (Released)   Hi-Res | News Photo Archive Operations People Press Briefings Other Subjects