Current Mock-Up Structure

In its current model form, every page has eight menu items across the top that users can select any time.

• Home APEC Economies
• EGS Segments
• Research Studies
• Projects
• Regulations
• Resources
• Directories

Each of the eight menu items has the capability to have numerous options in the 'drop-down'. The current model has the following options with "economies," "EGS segments" and study subjects representatively 'active' given that 30 articles have been uploaded and keyworded for the demonstration model mock-up. In other words, a user can click "Consulting & Engineering" under "EGS Segments," or "EGS Definitions" under "Research Studies," and browse summaries of articles and then click to view entire article or download the file.

This structure is by no means set in stone, but evolved from the initial concept structure and subsequent additions of topics and files. Future adjustments can be made to the topic lists and keywords or categories can be added, or keywords of existing articles or files on the site can be modified. We would be particularly interested in members' views on the current structure and helpful modifications that could be made to it.

Open and Closed Websites

APEC EGS is designed to ultimately be an open system where users can freely contribute content.  However, until the project is authorized and everyone is comfortable with its content, and agrees to a set of rules for quality control, it will be limited to only the content approved by APEC economies. (Quality control is needed if we want APEC EGS to be an authoritative source of information, and different rules will require different methods of implementation.)  As we develop EGSIE, we can continue to review its utility, openness, content, etc.

Stakeholder Participation

In order to enhance participation in the information exchange, we envision that private sector stakeholders (e.g., business, NGOs) would be able to submit specific information on EGS.  Stakeholders would be able to identify themselves when providing comments/information, at least by sector (e.g., NGO, academia, business), and ideally also business profile e.g. SMEs, small businesses.

Resources Required to Build and Maintain EGSIE

Building and maintaining the Environmental Goods and Services Information Exchange would require continued attention and human resources to complete the full development of the tool and ongoing technical resources for maintenance and updating.  We would expect maintenance and updating to include:  new EGS submissions/postings by economies; new information from stakeholders on specific EGS; updated links to new EGS papers/projects undertaken by economies, international organizations, academia, etc., including on market barriers to trade in environmental good and services; updated links to tariff schedules.

In terms of next steps, we would need to complete and upload EGSIE's content and determine hosting and other maintenance costs.  We believe that it would cost approximately $30,000 in additional work to take EGSIE live.  Maintenance will depend on the level of activity, updating required, etc.  We are willing to take EGSIE's development in stages, and to review and consider over time what is ultimately required to support economies' needs.  For example, we believe that EGSIE will initially function as an APEC registered-users-only information-sharing tool.  Once economies become comfortable with its content, utility, etc., we hope that EGSIE can be expanded to allow for broader access and input.  We believe that we can cover the costs of the immediate next steps and take EGSIE live in time for the APEC Leaders' meeting this year, if delegates endorse the project at MAG2.