📋 Tender Overview
Project No.
EC_101_2025A
Project Title
*
Enhancing the APEC Collaborative Framework and Use of ODR
Project Status
Project in Implementation
Fund Account
*
APEC Support Fund
Sub-fund
ASF: Strengthening Economic Legal Infrastructure (SELI)
Project Year
2025
Project Session
*
Session 1
APEC Funding
150,000
Co-funding Amount
30,000
Total Project Value
180,000
Sponsoring Forum
*
Economic Committee (EC)
Topics
Digital Economy; Digital Technology and Innovation; Structural Reform
Committee
Economic Committee (EC)
Other Fora Involved
Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved
Proposing Economy(ies)
Japan
Co-Sponsoring Economies
Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; Papua New Guinea
Expected Start Date
01/09/2025
Expected Completion Date
31/12/2026
Project Proponent Name 1
Yoshihisa Hayakawa
Job Title 1
Expert Adviser
Organization 1
Rikkyo University
Telephone 1
+819078030058
Email 1
haya@rikkyo.ac.jp
Project Proponent Name 2
Sho Udagawa
Job Title 2
Commerce and Information Policy Bureau
Organization 2
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Telephone 2
+815031721915
Email 2
udagawa-sho@meti.go.jp
Declaration
Yoshihisa Hayakawa
Project Summary
The Project will explore ways to improve implementation of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) under the APEC ODR Collaborative Framework by (1) reviewing the overall progress on implementation of the APEC ODR Collaborative Framework, (2) encouraging more APEC economies to opt-into the Framework, (3) increasing the number of APEC partnering ODR providers and their capacity (including through use of advanced technologies and AI); (4) encouraging APEC businesses (including MSMEs) to use ODR through APEC listed ODR providers (with partnering providers, ABAC, and ASEAN), and (5) further refining the implementation of the Framework (e.g., enhancing enforcement of awards through alternative means (e.g., trust marks)). The project will also consider (with international organizations including the World Bank, UNCITRAL) more broadly how to implement ODR in public and private fora (including the courts).
Relevance
Region
According to the November 2023 APEC Economic Policy Report (at 57): Improved access to justice is also an essential component of creating an enabling business environment for SMEs. Online dispute resolution (ODR) leverages information and communication technologies to provide a speedy and cost-effective electronic resolution and enforcement of disputes across borders, bridging language and jurisdictional barriers. It provides SMEs a quick and inexpensive option to resolve cross-border disputes, thereby promoting cross-border confidence. The APEC Collaborative Framework for Online Dispute Resolution of Cross-Border Business-to- Business Disputes presents APEC’s initiative to capitalize on the benefits of ODR to facilitate greater access to justice for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs
