Project Completion Report
Please submit through your APEC Secretariat Program Director within 2 months of project
completion.
SECTION A: Project profile
Project number & title:
Time period covered
in report:
Committee / WG / Fora:
Project Overseer Name /
Organization / Economy:
CTI 10 12A APEC Training Course on Building and Enhancing Capacities to
Participate in FTA-related Environment Negotiations
Date submitted: January
March 2012 – March 2013
07th,
2013
Committee on Trade and Investment
Mrs Pham Quynh Mai
Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade
Viet Nam
SECTION B: Project report and reflection
Briefly answer each of the questions below. Section B should be a maximum of 2-3 pages, inclusive of
the questions and tables provided.
1. Project description: In 3-4 sentences, describe the project and its main objectives.
This project is one of the activities under the Action Plan Framework for Regional Economic Integration (REI)
Capacity Building Needs Initiative (CBNI) initiated by Korea since 2010. This project aims at:
 Increased capacity of negotiators and policymakers, with practical relevance, to participate in FTA-related
environment negotiations: Increased understanding of the trade and environment relationship (academic
references; feasibility studies and texts of FTAs); increased capacity of negotiators to consider the
environmental impacts of potential FTAs, both positive and negative (FTA-related environmental reviews/
environmental impact assessments).
 Share best practices and experiences in preparing for FTA-related environment negotiations;
 Enhance possible environmental considerations in the context of the FTAs/FTAAP.
2. Meeting your objectives: Were the proposed objectives of the project met? If so, please describe how. If
not, please include any major changes to the proposed scope of the project. Please outline any problems
you may have encountered that resulted in delays to the delivery of the activity.
Through the presentations of speakers and active engagement of participants, the proposed objectives of the
Training Course were duly met.
3. Evaluation: Describe how you evaluated the project upon completion? Detail the results of the
evaluations conducted, if any (e.g. participant evaluation, peer review of publication, measurement of
indicators, statistics demonstrating use of outputs etc.).
At the end of the Training Course, an evaluation form was circulated to all participants to comment on the
outcomes of the Training Course. The organizing committee compiled all comments and reflected them into the
final report, which was submitted to CTI on November 30th, 2012.
The Project Organizers would also evaluate the project effectiveness by sending out the follow-up survey to
participants in January 2013 after conducting the Training Course. Participants were asked to fill in the survey on
information such as their improvements in terms of skills and knowledge after the Training Course, improvements
in their work performance (if any) with the increased knowledge and skills, etc. If possible, participants may
provide in the survey the application of the skills and knowledge that they gain from the Training Course in their
current FTA-related environmental negotiations. Participants were requested to to return the filled-in evaluation
form to the Project Organizers in February 2013.
4. Key findings: Describe the main outputs delivered and any broader outcomes achieved as a result of this
project. For example have there been any capacity building outcomes, policy or operational changes, or
changes to standards or systems as a result of this activity? Describe how project outputs relate to
1
fora/sub fora/working group strategic and medium-term priorities and strategic priorities. Please provide
examples of important findings or lessons learned arising from the project.
Main outputs of the project are a set of Training Course materials that might be used as a reference tools for
current and potential negotiators that will or have participated in FTA-related environment negotiations. Another
output of the project is a summary report which is attached as appendix D of this completion report.
The Project is under the Action Plan Framework for Regional Economic Integration (REI) Capacity Building Needs
Initiative (CBNI) to strengthen and deepen regional economic integration, and facilitating the realization of FTAAP.
This project was designed to put into action APEC Ministers’ instructions to build capacity to strengthen and deepen
REI, and to facilitate the realization of FTAAP (APEC 2011 Ministerial Meeting statement). It also helped
enhancing the recognition on the importance of incorporating environmental considerations in a potential FTA,
which will contribute to APEC economies’ green growth goals.
5. Next steps: Describe any follow-up steps or projects that are planned following the completion of the
activity such as post-activity evaluations or tracer studies planned to assess the impact of this activity?
Have the results of the activity been disseminated to participants and other stakeholders and how? What
are (if any) any flow-on effects from this activity? How will this activity inform any future APEC activities?
As mentioned in the Summary Report, it is highly recommended to further this kind of Training Course within
APEC in forms of the training course on negotiation skills/techniques or a technical, in-depth trainining course on
FTA-related environment negotiations.
With regards to this project, the 2nd evaluation form was formulated and circulated to all participants during the
week of January 07th, 2013 for filling and comments to assess the impact of the Training Course. Based on the
summary report and this responsed evaluation, the project overseers will consider and proposed future activities
under the REI CBNI.
6. Feedback for the Secretariat: Do you have any suggestions for more effective management of projects in
the future? Any assessment of consultants, experts or participants that you would like to share? (The
Secretariat collates and examines feedback to identify trends for ongoing evaluation of our project management
and/or communications systems.)
The PO would like to thanh the APEC Secretariat, especially Ms Catherine Wong (Program Director) and Ms
Mary Tan (Program Executive), for their cooperation and effective management of this project.
2
7. Participant information: Please provide details, where applicable. Insert rows as needed.
# female
Details (further details please see the
Economy
# male
Australia
1
Speaker
Chile
2
Participants
China
2
Participants
Indonesia
1
Korea
1
Speaker
Malaysia
3
1 speaker and 2 participants
3
Mexico
2 speakers and 2 participants
1
New Zealand
1
Peru
1
Participant List)
Participant
Speaker
2
1 speaker and 2 participants
The Philippines
1
Participant
Russia
1
Participant
USA
1
Speaker
17
2 speakers and 29 participants
Viet Nam
18
Other:
OECD
Animal Asia (international
1
1
Speaker
Speaker
organization)
Eurasian Economic
1
1
33
27
Participants
Committee
Total
8. Outputs: Please provide details, where applicable. Change headings or insert rows as needed.
# planned
# actual
# of workshops / events
01
01
# of publications distributed
N/A
# of CDs distributed
N/A
# of websites created
N/A
Details
SECTION C: Budget
Attach a detailed breakdown of the APEC- provided project budget, including:
 Planned costs (using most recently approved budget figures): 118,548 USD
 Actual expenditures: Please work with the APEC Secretariat as PO is not sure of the payment paid to
APEC-funded speakers and participants
All Figures in USD
# of Units
Speaker’s honorarium
(government officials
ineligible)
6
Unit Rate
1,000/ person
APEC Funding
(planned)
6,000
APEC Funding
(actual)
1,000
3
All Figures in USD
# of Units
Unit Rate
APEC Funding
(planned)
APEC Funding
(actual)
Short-term clerical fees
50 hours (3
persons)
20 USD
3,000
3,000
Contractor (including
Researcher) fees
100 hours (2
persons)
80 USD
12,000
12,000
Contractor’s secretary fees
80 hours (2
persons)
20 USD
3,200
3,200
Per Diem of speakers (incl.
accommodation and “75%
additional payment”)
6 persons for
4.75 days
164 USD/day
4,674
Information on
actual
expenditure will
be provided by
the APEC
Secretariat
Airfare of speakers
6 persons
3,500
(average)
21,000
Information on
actual
expenditure will
be provided by
the APEC
Secretariat
Per diem (incl.
accommodations and “75%
additional payment”)
20 persons for
4.75 days
164 USD/day
15,580
Information on
actual
expenditure will
be provided by
the APEC
Secretariat
Airfare (restricted economy
class)
20 persons
42,094
Information on
actual
expenditure will
be provided by
the APEC
Secretariat
Photocopying
25,000 copies
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
9,000
9,000
0,1
USD/page
Communications (telephone,
fax, mail, courrier)
Hosting (provide breakdown,
e.g., room rental, stationery)
(units as
appropriate)
3,500 x 3
days
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COMPLETION REPORT

Variance notes: An explanation of any budget line under- or over-spent by 20% or more.
SECTION D: Appendices or additions
Please attach any of the following. This information will help us better understand your project, support
overseers of similar projects and plan for future projects.

List of experts or consultants utilized, with job titles and contact details, gender disaggregated
where possible.





List of participants, with job titles and contact details
Event agendas
Links to any relevant websites or online material (e.g. reports, resources created)
Results of participant feedback or other project evaluation (raw and/or analyzed)
Any other relevant information or resources that would help us learn more about your project
FOR APEC SECRETARIAT USE ONLY APEC comments: Were APEC project guidelines followed? Could
the project have been managed more effectively or easily by the PO?
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COMPLETION REPORT
APPENDIX A
List of speakers or consultants utilized
1
Peru
2
Korea
3
New
Zealand
4
Australia
5
USA
Mr
Mr
Mr
Mr
Ms
ERNESTO
GUEVARA
Legal Adviser,
Multilateral Affairs and
International Trade
Negotiations / Ministry of
Foreign Trade and
Tourism
eguevara@mincetur.gob.pe
Shi Young Lee
Professor, College of
Business & Economics,
Chung-Ang University/
Division of Business
SYL1347@hanmail.net
Malcolm McKee
Manager, International
Climate and Environment
Team/Ministry for the
Environment
Malcolm.McKee@mfe.govt.nz
Peter Komocki
Executive Officer, Trade
and Environment Section,
Office of Trade
Negotiations, DFAT
peter.komocki@dfat.gov.au
Kelly Milton
Director for International
Environmental and
Conservation Policy,
USTR
Kelly_K._Milton@ustr.eop.gov
6
OECD
Mr
Dale Andrew
7
Viet Nam
Mr
Linh Nguyen
8
Malaysia
Mr
Muralitharan a/l
Paramasua
Australia
Dr
(Male)
Tuan
Bendixsen
9
10
Viet Nam
Ms
Tran Thi Minh
Ha
11
Viet Nam
Mrs
Hoang Thi Lien
Head, Environment
Division, OECD Trade
and Agriculture
Directorate
Consultant, Freelance
consultant
Principal Assistant
Secretary, Head of Unit,
Ministry of Natural
Resources and
Environment
Viet Nam Director,
Animals Asia
Director General,
International Cooperation
Department, Ministry of
Natural Resources and
Environment
Consultant
dale.andrew@oecd.org
linhng68@gmail.com
muralitharan@nre.gov.my
tbendixsen@animalsasia.org
minhhatran07@gmail.com
hoanglien2502@yahoo.com
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COMPLETION REPORT
APPENDIX B
List of participants
ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS (APEC-funded)
1
China
Mr
Zheren Jiang
Official
Ministry of Commerce/ Department of
Internatial Trade and Economic
Affairs
zherenjiang@mofcom.gov.cn
2
China
Mr
Zhiyang CHEN
Deputy Division
Director
Ministry of Commerce/ Department of
Internatial Trade and Economic
Affairs
zhiyangc@mofcom.gov.cn
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
wcoutts@minrel.gov.cl
3
Chile
Mr
Waldemar Coutts
Deputy Director for
Environment;
Climate Change
and Sustainable
Development
4
Chile
Mr
Max Cooper Larrain
Bioenergy
Specialist
Ministry of Agriculture
mcooper@odepa.gob.cl
5
Indonesia
Mrs
Sulistianingsih
Sarassetiawaty
Head of Sub Div
Environmental
Internationalization
Ministry of Environment
susisaras@yahoo.com
6
Indonesia
Mrs
Nugraheni Prasetya
Hastuti
Deputy Director
Ministry of Trade
hastuti.nugraheni@yahoo.com.
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COMPLETION REPORT
7
Malaysia
Mr
Wan Ahmad Farid
Wan Danial
Assistant Secretary
International Unit/ Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment
fariddanial@nre.gov.my
8
Malaysia
Mr
Al-Razi bin
Kamaruddin
Assistant Secretary
International Unit/ Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment
ark@nre.gov.my
9
Mexico
Ms
Liliana Jimenez
Deputy Director for
International Trade
Rules
Ministry of Economy
liliana.jimenez@economia.gob.mx
10
Peru
Ms
Eliana Castillo
Trade Official
Viceministry of Foreign Trade/
Ministry of Foreign Trade and
Tourism
rcastillom@mincetur.gob.pe
Josefina Del Prado
Specialist in
International
Environmental
Negotiations
Office of Cooperation and
International Negotiations/ Ministry of
Environment
jdelprado@minam.gob.pe
11
Peru
Miss
12
Russian
Ms
Mariya Shamina
Leading specialist
of the 2nd grade
Ministry of economic development/
Department for Trade Negotiations
shaminama@economy.gov.ru
13
The
Philippines
Mr
Ignacio Elvira
Supervising Tariff
Specialist
Tariff Commission
elviraignacio@yahoo.com
OTHER PARTICIPANTS
1
EEC
Ms
Elena Shutova
2
EEC
Mr
Dmitry Popov
Head of division of
goods
expert of division
Eurasian Economic Commission
info@tsouz.ru
Eurasian Economic Commission
info@tsouz.ru
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COMPLETION REPORT
of goods
3
Indonesia
Mr
Novrizal Tahar
4
Indonesia
Ms
Irma Rubina Sianipar
Head of Division
for Environmental
Economic Planning
Official
5
Viet Nam
Mr
Hoang Van Phuong
6
Viet Nam
Ms
7
Viet Nam
8
Ministry of Environment
ntaharn@yahoo.com
Ministry of Trade
irma_sianipar@yahoo.com
Director
Ministry of Industry and Trade
phuonghv@moit.gov.vn
Nguyen Yen Ngoc
Deputy Director
Ministry of Industry and Trade
ngocny@moit.gov.vn
Ms
Cao Thanh Diep
Official
Ministry of Industry and Trade
diepct@moit.gov.vn
Viet Nam
Ms
Dang Hai Ha
Deputy Director
Ministry of Industry and Trade
hadth@moit.gov.vn
9
Viet Nam
Mr
Nguyen Van Canh
Official
Ministry of Industry and Trade
canhnc@moit.gov.vn
10
Viet Nam
Ms
An Thuy Duong
Official
duongat@moit.gov.vn
11
Viet Nam
Ms
Bui Thuy Anh
Official
12
Viet Nam
Ms
On Thi Mai Sa
Official
13
Viet Nam
Mr
Nguyen Anh Duc
Official
14
Viet Nam
Mr
Tran Viet Phuong
Official
15
Viet Nam
Le Phuong
Official
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment
Ministry of Industry and Trade/
Europe Department
Ministry of Industry and
Trade/Department on Africa, West
Asia and South Asia
16
Viet Nam
Mr
Pham Khac Tuyen
Official
17
Viet Nam
Mr
Nguyen Dinh Sach
Official
18
Viet Nam
Ms
Tran Thi Thanh Thuy
Official
19
Viet Nam
Ms
Nguyen Thi Lan Phuong
Official
20
Viet Nam
Mr
Nguyen Thanh Long
Official
21
Viet Nam
Mr
Hoang Xuan Huy
Official
Ministry of Industry and
Trade/Department on Asia Pacific
Institute for Strategic
Research/Diplomatic Academy of
Viet Nam
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Ministry of Industry and Trade
National Committee on
International Economomic
Cooperation
Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment
saotm@moit.gov.vn
phuongtvi@moit.gov.vn
phuongl@moit.gov.vn
tuyenpk@moit.gov.vn
nguyendinh.sach@gmail.com
thuyttt@moit.gov.vn
phuongntla@moit.gov.vn
thanhlongvn@gmail.com
hxhuy@monre.gov.vn
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COMPLETION REPORT
22
Viet Nam
Ms
Tran Tuyet Mai
Official
23
Viet Nam
Ms
Phung Thi Lan Phuong
Official
Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment
VCCI
24
Viet Nam
Mr
Bui Hong Duong
Director
Ministry of Industry and Trade
duongbh@moit.gov.vn
25
Viet Nam
Ms
Nguyen Thi Hanh
Official
Ministry of Industry and Trade
hanhngt@moit.gov.vn
26
Viet Nam
Mr
Do Duy Khanh
Official
Ministry of Industry and Trade
khanhdd@moit.gov.vn
27
Viet Nam
MS
Nguyen Thi Duy Ly
Official
Ministry of Industry and Trade
lyntd@moit.gov.vn
28
Viet Nam
Ms
Nguyen Nguyet Nga
Lecturer
University of Trade
ngaenv@gmail.com
29
Viet Nam
Ms
Dang Thi Dieu Thi
Lecturer
dieuthuy.dang@gmail.com
30
Viet Nam
Mr
Nguyen Hoang Minh
Deputy Director
31
Viet Nam
Ms
Dang Thi Phuong Ha
Official
32
Viet Nam
Ms
Nguyen Bich Ngoc
Lecturer
33
Viet Nam
Ms
Le Thanh Nga
Official
34
Viet Nam
Dr
Nguyen Thi Thu Trang
Director
University of Trade
Institute of Strategy and Policy on
Natural Resources and
Environment
Institute of Strategy and Policy on
Natural Resources and
Environment
Faculty of Trade and International
Economics/ National Economics
University
Directorate of Environment,
Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment
VCCI
35
Viet Nam
Mr
Do Ngoc Hung
Director
Ministry of Industry and Trade
hungdn@moit.gov.vn
36
Viet Nam
Mr
Hoang Minh Chien
Director
Ministry of Industry and Trade
chienhm@moit.gov.vn
37
Viet Nam
Mr
Hoang Viet Anh
Deputy Director
Ministry of Industry and Trade
anhhv@moit.gov.vn
ttmai110@gmail.com
phuongptl@vcci.com.vn
minh.nguyenhoang@yahoo.com.vn
dtpha@isponre.gov.vn
bttbichngoc@gmail.com
tngale@yahoo.com
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COMPLETION REPORT
APPENDIX C
Agenda of the Training Course
APEC Training Course on Building and Enhancing Capacities to Participate in FTA-related
Environment Negotiations
Date: October 24th – 26th, 2012
Venue: Hanoi Horizon Hotel, Viet Nam
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
Time
Schedule
9:00 – 9:30
Registration
Opening Remarks
9:30 – 9:45
by Mrs Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy
Deputy Director General
Ministry of Industry and Trade, Viet Nam
Day 1: Understanding FTA-related Environment Chapters/ Provisions
“Trade and Environment: Overview and History of Including Environmental Provisions in Trade Agreements”
Moderator: Mr Peter Komocki, Executive Officer, Trade and Environment Section,
Office of Trade Negotiations, DFAT, Australia
Environment Provisions/Chapters in FTAs
Speakers will present several side agreements on environment and/or texts of the FTAs
relating to environment
9:45 – 10:45
-
“Environment Chapters in U.S. Free Trade Agreements” by Ms Kelly Milton,
Director for International Environmental and Conservation Policy, United States
Trade Representative Office
-
“Environment Chapters in Existing Free Trade Agreements” by Mr Malcolm
McKee, Manager, International Climate and Environment Team, Ministry for the
Environment, New Zealand
10:45 – 11:00
Discussions
11:00 – 11:15
Coffee Break
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COMPLETION REPORT
Environment Provisions/Chapters in FTAs (continued)
Speakers will present several side agreements on environment and/or texts of the FTAs
relating to environment
11:15 – 12:00
-
Mr Dale Andrew, Head of Environment Division, OECD Trade and Agriculture
Directorate
-
Ms Tran Thi Minh Ha, Director General, International Cooperation Department,
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam
12:00 – 12:15
Discussions
12:15 – 14:00
Lunch
Environmental Policy in Engaging in a Free Trade Agreement: Indonesia Experience
14:00 – 14:30
14:30 – 14:45
-
Mrs Nugraheni Prasetya Hastuti (Deputy Director, Ministry of Trade) and Mrs
Sulistianingsih Sarassetiawaty (Head of Sub Division on Environmental
Internalization), Ministry of Environment, Indonesia
Discussions
Pre-negotiation issue: environmental impact assessments
14:45 – 15:15
Presentations on experiences in environmental impact assessments by APEC economies
-
“Environmental Impact Assessment in Viet Nam: From Regulations to
Practices” by Mr Linh Nguyen, Consultant, Viet Nam
15:15 – 15:30
Discussions
15:30 – 15:45
Photo Session
15:45 – 16:00
Coffee Break
New Environmental Issues in FTAs
16:00 – 16:30
-
“New Incentive-Compatible Environment Issues in FTA” by Professor Shi
Young Lee, College of Business and Economics, Chung-Ang University, Korea
16:30 – 16:45
Discussions
16:45 – 17:00
Introduction on the short exercise of 2nd day
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COMPLETION REPORT
Thursday, October 25th, 2012
Time
Schedule
Day 2:
-
Prepare for Negotiating Environmental Provisions/ Chapter in an FTA
Moderator: Mr Nguyen Sy Linh, Senior Researcher, Institute of Strategy and Policy of Natural Resources and
Environment, Viet Nam
Experiences in Coordination Before, During and After Negotiations
Speakers:
9:30 – 10:30
-
Mr. Ernesto Guevara, Coordinator of Trade and Environment Issues, Ministry of
Foreign Trade and Tourism, Peru
-
“FTAs and Environment Negotiations: Australia: Coordination Before, During
and After Negotiations” by Mr Peter Komocki, Executive Officer, Trade and
Environment Section, Office of Trade Negotiations, DFAT, Australia
10:30 – 11:00
Discussions
11:00 – 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:00
Experiences in FTA-related Environment Stakeholder Consultation
-
12:00 – 13:45
Mr Tuan Bendixsen, Vietnam Director, Animals Asia
Lunch
Experiences in FTA-related Environment Stakeholder Consultation (continued)
13:45 – 14:15
-
“Malaysia’s Experiences in FTA-related Stakeholder Consultation” by Mr
Muralitharan a/l Paramasua, Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment, Malaysia
14:15 – 14:45
Discussions
14:45 – 15:00
Coffee Break
Short Exercise: Mock Negotiation
15:00 – 16:00
Participants will be divided into 4 groups to prepare for a mock negotiation in an
Environmental Chapter of 4 Parties
16:00 – 17:00
Undertaking Mock Negotiation
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COMPLETION REPORT
Friday, October 26th, 2012
Time
Schedule
Day 3:
-
Continue of Day 2
Post-negotiation implementation
Moderator: Mrs Pham Quynh Mai, Deputy Director General, Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of
Industry and Trade, Viet Nam
9:00 – 9:30
Discussions
Lessons from the mock negotiation
Best Practices in Post-negotiation Implementation
(Action plan, legislative action plan, cost/opportunities/benefit analysis, dissemination,
review)
9:30 – 10:15
10:15 – 10:30
-
“Best Practices for FTA Implementation” by Ms Kelly Milton, Director for
International Environmental and Conservation Policy, United States Trade
Representative Office
-
“Best Practices in Post-negotiation Implementation” by Mr Malcolm McKee,
Manager, International Climate and Environment Team, Ministry for the
Environment, New Zealand
Coffee Break
Best Practices in Post-negotiation Implementation (continued)
10:30 – 11:00
(Action plan, legislative action plan, cost/opportunities/benefit analysis, dissemination,
review)
-
Mr Dale Andrew, Head of Environment Division, OECD Trade and Agriculture
Directorate
11:00 – 11:30
Discussions
11:30 – 12:15
Training Course’s Wrap-up and Recommendations for Next Steps
12:15 – 14:00
Lunch
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COMPLETION REPORT
APPENDIX D
PROJECT’S SUMMARY REPORT
15
COMPLETION REPORT
__ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _
APEC Training Course on Building and Enhancing Capacities to Participate in FTA - related
Environment Negotiations
Ha Noi, Viet Nam
24th - 26th October 2012
Summary Report
Purpose: Information
Submitted by: Viet Nam
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COMPLETION REPORT
APEC Training Course on Building and Enhancing Capacities to
Participate in FTA-related Environment Negotiations
Ha Noi, Viet Nam
24th - 26th October 2012
SUMMARY REPORT
Introduction
The APEC Training Course on Building and Enhancing Capacities to Participate in FTA-related Environment
Negotiations initiated by Viet Nam and co-sponsored by Korea, New Zealand, Peru, Thailand and the United
States was held in Ha Noi from October, 24th to 26th, 2012. Representatives from 12 APEC member
economies (Australia, Chile, China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines,
Russia, USA, Viet Nam), the Eurasian Economic Committee and international organizations (OECD, Animal
Asia), together with 9 speakers, totalling approximately 60 government, industry, academic and international
organization participants, attended the Training Course. Among 60 participants, 27 were women, accounting
for 45 per cent of participants.
The main objectives of the Training Course were: (i) to increase capacities of negotiators and policymakers,
with practical relevance, to participate in FTA-related environment negotiations; (ii) to share best practices
and experiences in preparing for FTA-related environment negotiations; and (iii) to enhance possible
environmental considerations in the context of negotiating FTAs or of an Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific
(FTAAP) after the achievement of the Bogor goals.
Background
APEC has not conducted any training course specifically aimed at building and enhancing capacity and
understanding of FTA-related environmental considerations and negotiations skills for related stakeholders
despite the increased importance of environment issue in FTAs negotiations. This project is, therefore,
expected to address the capacity building needs of APEC economies by providing a short training course to
equip negotiators, policy makers and academics with relevant information, references, and equivalent skills to
participate in FTA-related environment negotiations.
This project forms part of activities under the Action Plan Framework for Regional Economic Integration (REI)
Capacity Building Needs Initiative (CBNI) initiated by Korea since 2010. In 2011, APEC Ministers “welcomed
the decision to approach capacity building activities with strategic foresight by undertaking multi-year projects,
such as supporting APEC’s work to strengthen and deepen regional economic integration, and facilitating the
realization of FTAAP.” The APEC Capacity Building Needs Survey in 2010 and the REI CBNI Policy Training
Course in 2011 resulted in an Action Plan Framework which is consisted of 7 fields, namely: services and
investment; e-commerce; labour; environment; intellectual property; SPS and rules of origin.
Discussion
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COMPLETION REPORT
Outcomes
The APEC Training Course on Building and Enhancing Capacities to Participate in FTA-related Environment
Negotiations included 2 days for presentations and discussions on FTA-related environment chapters and
provisions, preparation for negotiating environmental provisions/chapters in an FTA and post-negotiation
implementation issues. The Training Course was also consisted of a mock negotiation of 4 Parties, where
participants had good opportunities to discuss in groups for one hour and undertake the mock negotiation for
another hour. The mock negotiation was overwhelmed with enthusiasm and active discussions of all speakers
and participants who played the role of developed, emerged and least developed countries. For some
participants, it was a rare chance for them to ‘put in the shoes’ of negotiators from the other side and
understand the background, positions and domestic challenges of other countries. The Training Course also
brought about the knowledge of designing negotiation strategies and inter-department policies and
networking. The Training Course’s speakers, with experiences in FTA-related environment negotiations, have
helped participants in building basic views and developing steps and plans for group negotiations. Overall, the
Training Course has achieved its main objectives as described in the project proposal in building and
enhancing capacity and understanding of participants on FTA-related environmental considerations.
Key Issues Discussed
The Training Course specifically focused on capacity building and enhancing for negotiators who have
participated or potentially will participate in FTA-related environment. The Training Course featured speakers
and experts from international organizations (OECD and Animals Asia) and APEC economies that provided
participants with a broad view of the background information on FTA-related environment chapters/provisions
and experiences of economies throughout the Asia - Pacific region. Active participants from the private, public
and academic sectors and the sharing of their perspectives also added to the overall success of the Training
Course.
After an opening speech by Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Industry and
Trade of Viet Nam, negotiators and experts have provided presentations on the following topics:
1/ To better understand FTA-related environment chapters/provisions, there was a session on the interconnection between trade and environment, consisting of the overview and history of including environmental
provisions in trade agreements and other presentations on several side agreements on environment and/or
texts of the FTAs relating to environment.

Presentation on ‘Environmental Provisions in FTAs’ by OECD. This presentation included 4 main
points: the overview and history of recent trends in RTAs, the space occupied by environment in
recent FTAs, OECD checklist for negotiators of environmental provisions in RTAs and environment in
FTAs involving Asian countries.

Presentation on ‘Environment Chapters in Existing Free Trade Agreements’ by New Zealand. This
presentation included the views on different models of environment chapters, preparation for
negotiation and guidance.

Presentation on ‘Environment Chapters in U.S. Free Trade Agreements’ by the United States. This
presentation included broad objectives for including environment in FTAs, the evolution of FTA
environmental provisions, and general elements of the United States approach in recent FTAs,
including consultation, transparency, public participation and cooperation matters.
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2/ To provide best practices and to share experiences of APEC economies in the general context of
negotiating FTA-related environment chapters/provisions, two APEC economies shared their domestic
situation and their engagement in negotiating environmental content in an FTA at multilateral, regional and
bilateral levels.

Presentation on ‘Policy Framework on Environment Protection and Climate Change Response in Viet
Nam during the Process of International Economic Integration’ by Viet Nam. This presentation
included some important legal documents of Viet Nam on environmental protection, its international
commitments on environmental protection, and climate change, as well as the government’s policies
to observe international commitments .

Presentation on ‘Environmental Policy in Engaging in a Free Trade Agreement’ by Indonesia. This
presentation included current FTA engagement by Indonesia and the effect of environmental policies
on FTA negotiation and implementation.
3/ In the course of pre-negotiation preparation, an environmental impact assessment is required. Thus, there
was a presentation on ‘Environmental Impact Assessment in Viet Nam: From Regulations to Practices’. This
presentation included 4 main points: the development of environment assessment system, environmental
assessment in regulations, and environmental assessment in practice and challenges in environmental
assessment.
4/ Korea had a presentation on ‘New Incentive-Compatible Environment Issues in FTA’. The presentation
focused on proposed, new environmental issues in FTAs. Besides the examination of general knowledge on
environment issues in FTA and the analysis of environmental provision in FTAs, the presentation also
included an interesting case study on China’s accession to the WTO and the issue of environment.
5/ In the preparation for negotiating environmental provisions/chapter in an FTA, Peru and Australia shared
their experiences in coordination process before, during and after negotiations. Australia also presented the
background information and procedures of government-level decision making mechanism.
6/ There were 2 presentations from the government sector (Malaysia) and an international organization
(Animals Asia) on their experiences in FTA-related environment stakeholders consultation.

Malaysia reiterated the importance of explanations of the benefits and rationales of FTA agreement
should be given to stakeholders to make them understand and be supportive to the negotiators and
the lead agency. In the view of Malaysia, the views, demands and mandates given by stakeholders
(especially from specific group who will implement the agreement in the future) should be taken into
consideration.

Animals Asia stressed the need of transparency, a mechanism for getting stakeholders to take part in
and submission during FTA negotiation, including capacity building. It also recommended a
mechanism that allows public participation in the implementation of FTAs.
7/ Speakers from the United States, New Zealand and the OECD provided 3 presentations on the topic of
best practices in post-negotiation implementation.

The United States emphasized the complexity of implementation and the needs of early start. In
addition, it is necessary to be thorough and follow a systematic framework to ensure compliance with
obligations that take effect on Day One.
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
New Zealand presented on the approval process, typical governance arrangements for cooperation,
first meetings, frameworks, etc. New Zealand also highlighted some examples of post-negotiation
implementation.

The OECD presented on its framework for evaluation of implementing RTAs with environmental
provisions. There was an example on the mechanisms to monitor the implementation of RTAs in the
framework of the CAFTA-DR Environmental Cooperation Agreement.
Mock negotiation
During the mock negotiation, participants were divided into 4 groups of countries (developed, emerged, least
developed ones) to prepare and negotiate the issue of climate change under an Environmental Chapter in a
FTA. Participants had one hour to discuss at group level, with assistance and advice of speakers, to prepare
for the group’s views and strategies to negotiate.
The one-hour mock negotiation took place enthusiastically with 4 leaders of 4 groups to represent their
groups to negotiate. The negotiators were reserved, polite but also firm on their countries’ positions. After one
hour of active, friendly but also strict negotiation, 4 Parties agreed that there would be a subject of climate
change (not a specific text) in an Environmental Chapter.
The exercise on mock negotiation was evaluated to be useful and helped to increase the skills of
negotiations.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In the Training Course’s closing remarks, Mrs. Pham Quynh Mai, Deputy Director General of the Multilateral
Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam, commended the speakers and
participants on a very successful and productive Training Course. She expressed her hope that APEC would
continue to follow up on capacity building on FTA-related environment issues and help APEC economies to
enhance their capacities in this regard. Mrs. Pham concluded her remarks by thanking the organizers, cosponsors and distinguished speakers and participants from government, academic and international
organizations, for sharing their valuable experiences and invaluable insights.
The Training Course concluded with a discussion of possible future activities and continuing work to improve
the capacities to participate in FTA-related environment negotiations and sharing best practices.
Participants largely supported the idea of furthering this type of training course in the coming time. Follow-up
training course should consider the following topics:
1. In terms of theory:
The following topics can be considered to be addressed at the course:

More specific ideas, for example environmental goods and services, biodiversity and trade, climate
change and trade, energy efficiency and trade.

A session on multilateral environmental agreements or other conventions/ protocols;

Interconnection between environment chapter/provisions/side agreement and other chapters in an
FTA;
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
Cost benefit analysis in environmental impact assessment;

Environmental reviews, assessment and monitoring of FTA commitments;

The methodology to conduct stakeholders (civil society) outreach.
2. Mock negotiation:
 Participants highly recommended to include mock negotiation in future training course and more time
should be allocated for this exercise, probably on daily basis after each theory session, so that
participants will have chance to practice negotiation skills. Additionally, different groups may take
bilateral consultation with each other.
 To prepare for the mock negotiation, there should be specific guidance/ information that can be
handed out or emailed to participants prior to the training course. The organizers might also think of
multiple ways of conducting the mock negotiations, including bilateral and multilateral negotiations as
well as changing of partners. There should also be one session for stakeholder consultation.
 A special training on negotiation skills and techniques is also very important and highly
recommended.
3. The conduct of the training course:
 Those training courses may have some break-out sessions to get into detailed discussions.
4. Participation of stakeholders:
 More involvement of various stakeholders, such as academia, NGOs, business.
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