7. Main Topic

Ministers supported the theme of "Partnerships and Networks: Capturing the Benefits of Innovation Across APEC" as relevant and timely both within and among economies. They noted that focus on partnerships and networks will facilitate intellectual synergy and efficient resource use and shared cases that demonstrated these benefits.

Mexico presented the following suggested actions for consideration by the Ministers:

a. In view of the current global economic situation, it is expected that growth rates in the region will, for a period of time, be lower than those recently experienced. Economic growth will depend on achieving a balance between the accumulation of resources (physical and human) and their allocation to the most productive uses. As a consequence, future growth and improved quality of life will rely not only on increasing investments, but also on increasing opportunities to raise productivity.

b. To achieve the above, one powerful resource available to APEC economies is the creation of partnerships and networks directed towards discovery and innovation.

c. Accordingly, Ministers call upon APEC fora to consult and cooperate on the implementation of the following actions.

d. The sharing of information is an essential prerequisite to the formation of partnerships and networks. Ministers call for increased efforts to:

1. identify and share information about best practices for technology diffusion, and develop initiatives to provide APEC-wide linkages between technology networks among member economies;

2. foster the formation and strengthening of networks in specific areas of S&T across APEC.

1. encourage APEC fora, particularly the ISTWG, to continue to work with, and systematically engage, the private sector to participate in the policy dialogue, in particular, as it pertains to the assessment of constraints and opportunities for partnerships and networks among APEC economies.

1. conduct further analyses and implement additional actions on the above human resources issues, including, in particular, facilitation of mobility of personnel, and increasing the public awareness of S&T activities, especially among the young;

2. encourage the elimination of barriers to the fullest participation in, and contribution to, S&T by all members of society, with special attention to underrepresented segments, such as women and persons with disabilities;

3. identify key skills necessary for effective innovation and assess the need for training in member economies.

4. promote linkages among universities, public science agencies and industries to enhance the development of technologies and research training capacities.

1. promote cleaner production both to preserve the environment and to stimulate economic growth;

2. foster the pursuit of new knowledge and the development of technologies for humanistic concerns, such as the better health, well-being and enriched culture of all segments of the population;

3. disseminate best practices in natural disaster mitigation and emergency preparedness.

1. ISTWG should take the initiative to improve coordination on horizontal issues in conjunction with the SOM Sub-Committee on ECOTECH where appropriate.

Ministers strongly endorsed and adopted these suggested actions.