Collaboration and collective action are necessary to ensure standards are widely adopted and effectively implemented.
APEC is united by its mission to build a dynamic and harmonious Asia-Pacific community by supporting free and open trade
and investment, promoting and accelerating regional economic integration, encouraging economic and technical
cooperation, enhancing human security and facilitating a sustainable business environment. The work being done in the
Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) directly contributes to this mission and what makes our participation
crucial in fulfilling the SCSC´s mandate to reduce the negative effects that differing standards and conformance
agreements have on trade and investment flows in the Asia-Pacific region. The SCSC enables us to collaborate, mutually
benefiting from each other´s expertise, regardless of the varying levels of development among our economies.
During Peru´s hosting of APEC in 2024, we are continuing the themes initiated last year in the United States, as
expressed in the San Francisco Principles. These include trade facilitation, alignment with international standards,
good regulatory practices, the development of technical infrastructure for quality, and cooperation in food security.
All of these are vital aspects for improving the efficiency and competitiveness of our economies towards an inclusive
and sustainable approach.
The topics we addressed at our latest meeting in Lima included actions aimed at the progressive liberalization of trade
in goods through the reduction of unnecessary barriers; the reduction of digital divide; the promotion of macroeconomic
policies; and the identification of ways to use technology and science to support economic recovery and resilience.
Similarly, we continue to find ways in strengthening our collective actions in gender equity policies, economic,
financial and social inclusion; the creation of enterprises and access for micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs
to financing; international markets and global value chains; and addressing an urgent and sensitive issue that is food
security.
The SCSC likewise pays special attention to the discussion of policies on standardization and conformance that include
women and other vulnerable groups, emphasizing the positive impact that quality infrastructure has on such
interventions.
In fact, one of our policy discussions served as a platform for members to take stock of recent developments in
gender-responsive standards, the role of women in standards, and the benefits of gender-responsive standards to industry
and the economy.
In recent years, there has been a notable shift towards recognizing the importance of gender-responsive standards in
various sectors worldwide. From technology and healthcare to education and finance, efforts are being made to ensure
that standards are not only inclusive but also address the unique needs and perspectives of diverse genders.
The journey towards gender-responsive standards has been characterized by a growing awareness of the disparities and
biases inherent in traditional standards. In response, organizations, governments and advocacy groups have initiated
various initiatives to address these challenges.
Across the presentations, we heard that while the role of women is increasingly recognized as pivotal to sustainable
growth and progress, an often-overlooked aspect of their contribution is their involvement in shaping and implementing
standards. Standards, the benchmarks that define quality, safety and efficiency, play a fundamental role in various
sectors.
The panel highlighted that women bring unique perspectives, experiences and insights to the table, ensuring that
standards are not only robust but also reflective of the entire population they aim to serve. Diversity in standards
development is essential because it mirrors the diversity of end-users. Women, as both consumers and professionals,
often interact with products and services differently than men. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial to crafting
standards that are not only inclusive but also optimized for universal use.
Indeed, all this knowledge sharing motivates and inspires us—from the alignment of standards in trade to women’s
participation to equitable progress—as they represent significant steps in ensuring a better life for future
generations. There is still much work to be done to ensure standards are widely adopted and effectively implemented. It
is also time to embrace the inclusive journey toward standards that truly serve the needs of everyone, irrespective of
gender.
I encourage members to actively participate in this space, to generate a constructive and collaborative year, taking
advantage of best practices and collective approaches to achieve the goals and priorities of APEC 2024.
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César José Bernabé Pérez is the chair of APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance.