[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48145-48146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22324]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 10164]


U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on Private 
International Law (ACPIL): Public Meeting on Online Dispute Resolution

    The Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Private International 
Law, Department of State, hereby gives notice that the ACPIL will hold 
a public meeting to discuss a pending proposal on online dispute 
resolution in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC). This 
is not a meeting of the full Advisory Committee.
    In February 2017, the APEC Economic Committee endorsed a work plan 
on the development of an APEC-wide cooperative framework for ODR for 
Micro, Small, and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in business-to-
business (b2b) cross border transactions. The proposal is currently co-
sponsored by fourteen member economies.
    MSMEs have gained unprecedented access to international trade via 
the global supply chain and cross-border e-commerce, but to effectively 
reach global markets these businesses need a legal environment which 
enables the quick resolution of disputes and creates confidence in 
cross-border e-commerce. The use of ODR could be an effective means to 
solve this problem. ODR is a way of resolving disputes using 
traditional methods such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, 
but with the help of technology and without the need for a physical 
presence at a meeting or hearing.
    At its most recent meeting in August 2017, the APEC Economic 
Committee endorsed a revised work plan on ODR that includes inter alia 
``build[ing] a pilot in conjunction with platform host/ODR provider via 
outreach to regional

[[Page 48146]]

arbitration/mediation centers to determine possible partners for 
hosting ODR platform.'' Additionally, the scope of the project was 
expanded to include ``Use of Modern Technology for Dispute Resolution 
and Electronic Agreement Management'' with the explanation that ``it is 
also worthwhile to explore the use of other modern technology such as 
block chain, automated or smart contracts for contract management or 
enforcement and prevention of disputes.'' The APEC Economic Committee 
has approved a two-day workshop for the first Economic Committee 
meeting in February 2018 to discuss the work plan and the pilot 
proposal.
    Time and Place: The public meeting will take place on November 1, 
from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT in Room 356, South Building, State 
Department Annex 4A, Washington, DC 20037. Participants should plan to 
arrive at the Navy Hill gate on the west side of 23rd Street NW., near 
the intersection of 23rd Street NW. and D Street NW. between 9:30 and 
9:45 a.m. for visitor screening. If you are unable to attend the public 
meeting and would like to participate from a remote location, 
teleconferencing will be available.
    Public Participation: This meeting is open to the public, subject 
to the capacity of the meeting room. Access to the building is strictly 
controlled. For pre-clearance purposes, those planning to attend should 
email [email protected] providing full name, address, date of birth, 
citizenship, driver's license or passport number, and email address. 
This information will greatly facilitate entry into the building. A 
member of the public needing reasonable accommodation should email 
[email protected] not later than October 18, 2016. Requests made after that 
date will be considered, but might not be able to be fulfilled. If you 
would like to participate by telephone, please email [email protected] to 
obtain the call-in number and other information.
    Data from the public is requested pursuant to Public Law 99-399 
(Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986), as 
amended; Public Law 107-56 (USA PATRIOT Act); and Executive Order 
13356. The purpose of the collection is to validate the identity of 
individuals who enter Department facilities.
    The data will be entered into the Visitor Access Control System 
(VACS-D) database. Please see the Security Records System of Records 
Notice (State-36) at https://foia.state.gov/_docs/SORN/State-36.pdf for 
additional information.

Michael J. Dennis,
Attorney-Adviser, Office of Private International Law, Office of the 
Legal Adviser, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2017-22324 Filed 10-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-08-P