PROPOSAL ON CRITERIA AND PRINCIPLES ON NON-MEMBERS' PARTICIPATION IN APEC WORKING GROUP ACTIVITIES

Principles

1. It is important that on the one hand APEC neither gives the appearance of being a closed shop nor cuts itself off from useful contact with non-member economies, while on the other that it gives due weight to the need for consolidation and effectiveness.
2. The following principles are proposed in considering application:
   1. Non-member participation in any WG should be determined by the individual WG concerned by consensus;
   2. Each application should be considered on its own merits;
   3. While geographic location should be given primary weight, consideration should be given to specific expertise or information which the applicant possesses.
   4. The WG must be satisfied that the applicant can make a significant contribution to the work of the Group; and
   5. Participation in WG must be cleary understood not to imply any tacit endorsement of future membership or observer status in other APEC activities.
3. This last principle is particularly important. There must be no linkage between participation in APEC WGs and any application for a full membership of APEC. In other words, participation in a WG is neither necessary nor sufficient for a successful application to become an APEC member.

Management

4. It is proposed that participation by non-members should be managed as follows;
   1. Other than members, the APEC Secretariat and observers, all participants should be designated as guests.
   2. Once consensus has been reached in the WG concerned, the Lead Shepherd should seek covering approval from the Senior Official of all member economies through the Secretariat;
   3. The terms of participation should then be conveyed to the guests in standard form by the Lead Shepherd of the WG, and
   4. Guest status should be granted on a one-calendar-year basis, with renewal of participation subject to the same procedure as a new application or invitation.
5. It is not proposed that any additional category of participation be introduced beyond the existing four,i.e. member, APEC Secretariat, observer and guest.

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