Following the outline’s approval at the 2023 APEC HLPDAB plenary meeting, which was preceded by an in-person workshop, as well as three virtual consultative meetings in 2024, a draft of the white paper and accompanying website was presented to participants attending a one-day workshop in advance of the 2024 HLPDAB plenary meeting. Additional feedback was gathered from attendees to ensure the resource is fit for purpose and reflective of discussions thus far.

In response to input gathered during the event, the document has been expanded, and efforts have begun to add case studies suggested by workshop attendees. AFSI is committed to continuously building out this foundational work and welcomes suggestions for additional resources to include on the website.

The different mechanisms of cooperation described in the white paper are clarified through the use of case studies. Drawing from past regulatory cooperation successes, these write-ups illustrate how stakeholders have achieved varying degrees of success via information sharing, policy alignment, and collaboration on risk or safety assessments. Case studies already live on the website include the Global Low Level Presence Initiative, Codex Alimentarius, and safety assessment sharing between Health Canada and Food Safety Australia/New Zealand (FSANZ).

Additionally, the portal hosts a compilation of links to useful websites, databases, policy documents, courses, and other materials. The linked resources are organized into a database that can be searched and filtered. Examples of these resources include the “Update of the APEC Baseline Study: Regulations of Products Derived from Innovative Agricultural Technologies” and the FAO GM Foods Platform.