APEC ARCHITECT &

GATS
How they help future-proofing Architects and
Architecture?

DIATA, MEKAELA B. ǀ ARC 4106 ǀ 19-08639

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3 : GLOBAL PRACTICE IN 21ST CENTURY
 WHAT IS FUTURE-PROOFING?
Future-proofing is the process of anticipating the future and developing
methods for mitigating the effects of shocks and stresses caused by future
events. Future-proofing is used in industries such as electronics, medicine,
industrial design, and, more recently, design for climate change. Future-
proofing principles are taken from other industries and codified as a system for
approaching an intervention in a historic building.

Future-proofing has been developed as a broader definition of resilience. They

address climate change and cultural heritage preservation, as well as
resilience, sustainable design, and life cycle analysis. The goal is to create a
set of criteria that can be used as a design guide and evaluative tool for
historic structures. It also applies to a wide range of other aspects of our built
environment, such as historic districts, existing non-historic structures, new
construction, urban design, and infrastructure.
WHAT IS GATS?
The General Agreement on Trade in Services
(GATS) is a relatively new agreement. It entered
into force in January 1995 as a result of the
Uruguay Round negotiations to provide for the
extension of the multilateral trading system to
services.

All Members of the World Trade Organization are

signatories to the GATS and have to assume the
resulting obligations. By the same token, they are
committed, pursuant to Article XIX of the GATS, to
entering into subsequent rounds of trade
liberalizing negotiations. The first such Round
started in January 2000 and was integrated later
into the wider context of the Doha Development
Agenda (DDA). So, regardless of their countries'
policy stances, trade officials need to be familiar
with this Agreement and its implications for trade
and development. These implications may be far
more significant than available trade data
suggest.
GATS PURPOSE, OBJECTIVE & GOAL
WHAT IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF GATS?

The establishment of the GATS was one of the most

significant achievements of the Uruguay Round, the
results of which entered into force in January 1995. The
GATS was inspired by the same goals as its
merchandise trade counterpart, the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade (GATT): establishing a credible and
reliable system of international trade rules; ensuring fair
and equitable treatment of all participants (principle of
non-discrimination); stimulating economic activity
through guaranteed policy bindings; and promoting
trade and development through progressive
liberalization.

While services currently account for more than two-

thirds of global production and employment, they
account for no more than 25% of total trade on a
balance-of-payments basis. This — seemingly minor —
share, however, should not be overlooked. Indeed,
balance-of-payments statistics do not capture one of the
GATS-defined modes of service supply, which is supply
through commercial presence in another country (mode
3). Furthermore, while services are increasingly traded
in their own right, they also serve as critical inputs into
the production of goods, and thus, when measured in
value-added terms, services account for approximately
50% of global trade.
 ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

Architectural services are closely related to

construction and/or other business services.
The growth of the Internet created new
opportunities, making cross-border provision
of professional services more viable.
Technology is still playing an important role in
changing architectural practices and
facilitating the growth of international trade in
architectural services. Offshoring and
outsourcing tasks have become an
increasingly important part of the architectural
industry.
WHAT IS APEC ARCHITECT?
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum,
established in 1989, has become the pre-eminent
economic forum in the Asia-Pacific region. Its primary
purpose is to promote sustainable economic growth, trade
and investment, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC aims to strengthen regional economic integration

by removing impedements to trade and investment “at the
border”, enhancing supply chain connectivity "across the
border" and improving the business environment "behind
the border." The goal is to improve the operating
environment for business by cutting red tape and other
barriers. APEC also helps member economies build the
institutional capacity to implement and take advantage of
the benefits of trade and investment reform.

APEC operates on the basis of non-binding commitments

and open dialogue. Decisions made within APEC are
reached by consensus, and commitments are undertaken
on a voluntary basis. The APEC Secretariat is based in
Singapore and provides coordination, technical and
advisory support as well as information management,
communications, and public outreach services.
APEC ARCHITECTS PURPOSE & GOALS
WHATS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF APEC ARCHITECT FRAMEWORK?

The goal of the APEC Architect framework is to create a mechanism that

will facilitate the mobility of architects for the provision of architectural
services across the APEC region by lowering current barriers to
professional service export. Its primary function is to keep a Register of
APEC Architects who have completed common elements of the education
and training requirements for professional recognition in participating
economies, are currently registered/licensed as architects, and have a
proven track record of professional experience as registered practitioners.

Registration as an APEC Architect defines a level of competence that will

satisfy designated registration criteria in other participating economies
without further assessment through the identification of these common
aspects of professional recognition, reinforced by a period of professional
experience. A host economy may also impose special requirements for the
recognition of APEC Architects in order to address aspects of professional
practice unique to that economy; however, such requirements must be fully
transparent.
 FUTURE-
PROOFING UAP
&
THE
ARCHITECTURE
PROFESSION

UNITED ARCHITECTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

NATIONAL PRESIDENT
AR. RICHARD GARCIA
 SKILLS THAT YOU NEED TO BECOME FUTURE-PROOF ARCHITECT
ACCORDING TO THE UAP NATIONAL PRESIDENT AR. RICHARD GARCIA

Vanguards of the architecture profession

We are prepared to face the challenges, conflicts, and concerns that we will face as
leaders and frontliners. We will continue to be active in monitoring various legislation
and bills that affect and protect our profession.

Optimize our resources and strengths

We are here to select the best people for the job in order to successfully turn ideas into
projects. We will use each member's strengths and abilities to lay the groundwork for
this organization. We will not squander any available resources and will create the best
projects possible.

Leadership that is inclusive

We are architects' leaders, and we are here to listen and serve. We will be the unifying
factor among the members of this organization. We will use this critical capability to
efficiently and successfully guide the members.

Create an excellence culture.

As leaders, we will provide projects and a conducive environment for fellow architects
to grow and hone their skills. We will surpass our current best and celebrate this
achievement. We support all members of the architecture profession. Our vision for
UAP and Filipino architects is that they will be competitive.
 SKILLS THAT YOU NEED TO BECOME FUTURE-PROOF ARCHITECT
ACCORDING TO THE UAP NATIONAL PRESIDENT AR. RICHARD GARCIA

Members and regions should be empowered.

Nobody gets left behind. We are here to bring the entire
community together. With more empowered regions,
we are better positioned to envision and build a more
promising future for the profession. We're here to learn
about each other's strengths and weaknesses and to
put them to use.

Selfless service.
We are leaders who serve. We listen to others as well
as ourselves. To further empower the organization with
dependable people and projects, we must prioritize the
needs of our members.