Statement on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
According to the World Health Organization, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is the first severe and readily transmissible new disease to emerge in the 21st century with global epidemic potential. Already, the outbreak of SARS is not only posing an especially challenging threat to international public health, but also threatening regional as well as global prosperity, confidence and stability in today's closely interconnected and highly mobile world.
The events of recent months have demonstrated the need to effectively control and contain SARS and to mitigate its impacts on trade and investment. APEC responses to the outbreak of SARS need to be quick, effective, transparent and fully coordinated, bearing in mind that such responses must not only be aimed at dealing with SARS but also rebuild public confidence in overcoming the health risks and fear posed by SARS.
Against this background, the Meeting of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade in Khon Kaen, Thailand, on 2-3 June 2003, affirmed the solidarity of APEC economies as well as the strong determination to take every necessary action, individually, collectively and in cooperation with relevant international organizations, to minimize the impact of SARS on the well-being of the people and the economic development of the region. Ministers acknowledged the important role of the WHO in the worldwide campaign to control and contain the spread of SARS. At the same time, Ministers stressed the need for APEC to rely on its strengths and build on the work it has been doing to meet the increasing needs of member economies under new circumstances. In addition, they agreed that APEC responses to the outbreak of SARS must complement, rather than duplicate, and add value to both national and international initiatives.
To this end, Ministers endorsed the APEC Action Plan on SARS and pledged their commitment to promote common guiding principles on health screening measures at borders which are transparent and effective while not unduly restricting business mobility. Ministers commended the immediate action taken by SOM to promote transparency by using the APEC Secretariat website to provide up-to-date information on SARS in all APEC member economies, including information on regulations, visa requirements, and screening procedures for travelers. Ministers also commended the early analytical work on the economic impact of SARS, undertaken by the APEC Economic Committee and the APEC Tourism Working Group.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding SARS, Ministers emphasized the need to keep the measures set out in the APEC Action Plan on SARS under constant and close review. Doing so will allow APEC to respond quickly and effectively to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Ministers instructed senior officials and APEC fora to do their utmost to implement the Action Plan, particularly on trade facilitation, mobility of people and a credible communications strategy to rebuild business confidence. They also stressed the need to have continued surveillance and to maintain a high state of vigilance to ensure the high credibility of APEC member economies to deal with SARS. The sharing of scientific and knowledge to deal with the issue is key.
Ministers agreed that the fear of SARS shall not be used as a pretext to protectionism or raising non-tariff barriers that restrict the movement of people, goods and capital.
Of particular and immediate significance, Ministers pledged to restore business confidence in the areas of trade and investment, travel and travel related industries, as well as mobility of people. They welcomed ABAC's strong determination to work with APEC to rebuild business confidence and the convening of the APEC Health Ministers' Meeting in Thailand on 28 June 2003 to consider the necessary health measures on prevention and containment of SARS in cooperation with related International Health Organizations. Ministers also urged the Special Meeting of the APEC Senior Officials plus Senior Health Experts, on 27 June 2003, to prepare effective measures to contain the spread of SARS while not causing further economic loss and imposing unnecessary hindrance to trade and movement of people.