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Newsletter from the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC)
In this issue:
UPCOMING EVENTS
RELEASE OF STATE OF THE REGION 2014-2015 | BEIJING, CHINA | NOVEMBER 7, 2014
The State of the Region report is an annual statement of PECC’s views on the major developments affecting Asia-Pacific regional cooperation. The report contains a broad overview of economic state of relations and other issues as they relate to economic state of the region. It contains results from its annual survey of opinion-leaders of perceptions on key developments in the region and priorities for APEC. It is useful for gauging converging as much as diverging perceptions of stakeholders from business, government, and the research/ media/ civil society.
The results of this year's survey based on responses from 602 opinion-leaders from government, business, and non-government sectors will be shared at a media briefing during the APEC Leaders' Week at the China National Convention Center.
ENERGY TRANSITION: A CHALLENGING PERSPECTIVE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS AND COASTAL AREAS | NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA | 26-28 NOVEMBER 2014
 Taking into consideration global needs for new sources of energy to meet the growing industrial and household demands in the midst of rising energy costs and diminishing fossil fuels, it is imperative that PECC economies invest more in developing and optimizing new types of energy. It is one of top priorities for PECC economies to explore the most efficient ways of ensuring smooth transition from fossil fuels to renewable and sustainable energy. Lessons can be learnt by sharing how PECC economies are transitioning from being high energy consumers to becoming more eco-friendly and energy-efficient.
The project aims to design the framework for new economic models that will make way for smooth energy transition; it will bring together the energy-exporting and importing economies, energy producers or distributors as well as energy-related policymakers. It will put into perspective new initiatives and strategies designed to facilitate energy transition that will be critical to achieving sustainable living environment.
Tentative program agenda
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PAST EVENTS
22ND PECC GENERAL MEETING | BEIJING, CHINA | 10-11 SEPTEMBER 2014
Asia-Pacific economies are normalizing but we are entering a 'new normal'
 This year marks the 25th anniversary of APEC and the 20th anniversary of the Bogor Goals. As a champion of regional economic cooperation and a founding partner of APEC, PECC has an important role to play in helping the APEC policy making process by providing proactive policy advice and support.
This year's APEC theme is "Shaping the future through Asia-Pacific partnership" under which China has identified three priorities: 1) Advancing regional economic integration; 2) Promoting innovative development, economic reform, and growth; and 3) Strengthening comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development. In support of these APEC priorities set out by China, PECC organized its 22nd General Meeting in Beijing just two months ahead of the APEC Leaders' Week. This lead time provided a unique opportunity for PECC members and the invited public audience to provide intellectual input to this year's APEC process and beyond. It also served as a good opportunity to take a close look at China's economic development aspirations and its economic policy orientation.
Executive summary
Related press releases
Related news reports
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ROUNDTABLE: FREE TRADE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC | BEIJING, CHINA | SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
 In conjunction with the 22nd General Meeting held in Beijing, PECC organized a high-level roundtable on the topic. The purpose of this workshop was to discuss the current literature on global value chains (GVCs) and regional trade agreements and how these might lead to shaping the future development of an FTAAP.
Keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Bayu Krishnamurti, Vice Minister of Trade of Indonesia. Mr. Chen Chao, the Director of APEC Division at the Ministry of Commerce of China briefed the participants of the ongoing APEC work on regional economic integration. Other speakers at the roundtable included: Dr. Patrick Low, Vice President of Research at Fung Global Institute; Dr. Shujiro Urata, Professor of Economics at Waseda University; Professor Lin Guijun, University of International Business and Economics, China; and Professor Inn Won Park, Korea University.
Program agenda and presentation slides
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HKCPEC-CNCPEC SEMINAR: COOPERATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION - MAINTAINING STABLE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH | HONG KONG, CHINA | JUNE 30, 2014
The Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (HKCPEC) and the China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (CNCPEC) jointly held a seminar titled “Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region – Maintaining Stable and Sustainable Growth” on 30 June 2014 in Hong Kong.
The current global economic climate is characterized by modest economic growth with remaining downside risks. Our common challenge is to explore viable means for maintaining stable and sustainable growth. The Joint HKCPEC-CNCPEC seminar provided a platform for more than 180 representatives from the academic, business and government sectors to examine how to promote and inject new impetus for growth through co-operation in the Asia-Pacific.
Speakers' profiles and presentations
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FROM PROTOTYPE TO MARKET: DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICIES AND REGIONAL COOPERATION | SANTIAGO, CHILE | JUNE 24-25, 2014
 Some PECC economies are more advanced than others in rolling out policies and embracing new technologies to facilitate energy transition, which includes providing funding and implementing environmental regulations. Fossil fuels and conventional production methods resulting in high carbon costs need to be replaced by more environment-friendly energy and technology. Renewable energies should move beyond R&D to the stage of becoming more market competitive and commercially viable in concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of potentially increasing prices of depleting fossil fuels and climate change concerns.
The second energy transition seminar was organized by FPTPEC and CHILPEC. Four following issues were discussed:
- Renewable energies to meet industrial demands and needs of isolated locations
- Development of marine and renewable energies: Promoting early acceptance
- Setting appropriate policies to develop renewable energies
- Developing cooperation between stakeholders to promote energy transition
Executive summary
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PUBLICATIONS
AUSTRALIA'S EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING AN LNG EXPORT INDUSTRY
 Australia has been a major Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exporter in the Asia Pacific region for over 25 years. Canada is currently looking to enter the Asian LNG market, with at least 18 LNG projects currently under proposal. In this report, N. Ross Lambie and R. Quentin Grafton review the challenges, risks, and opportunities experienced by the Australian LNG industry and the anticipated changes in the industry as more countries enter the market as exporters.
This report was prepared for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada in partnership with the Australian Pacific Economic Cooperation Committee (AUSPECC).
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