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Digital Trade, AI and Online Safety in Focus at Asia-Pacific Policy Discussion
Issued by the APEC Digital Economy Steering GroupAPEC economies met in Guangzhou this week to confront a set of digital policy challenges that are increasingly shaping trade, productivity and social outcomes worldwide, from the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence to the expansion of cross-border digital commerce and growing concerns over online safety.
Meeting as part of the first APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings of the year, delegates exchanged views on how economies can respond to fast-moving technological change while maintaining open markets, strengthening trust in digital systems and ensuring that the benefits of digitalization are widely shared.
“As digital technologies transform trade, productivity and daily life at a rapid pace, we need to ensure that innovation is supported by clear, practical and trusted policy frameworks,” said Ichwan Makmur Nasution, Chair of the APEC Digital Economy Steering Group.
“Open dialogue and constructive engagement remain essential as economies navigate rapid digital change,” Nasution said. “By sharing experiences and increase cooperation, economies can develop more effective responses and help shape a resilient, forward-looking digital future for the Asia-Pacific.”
Discussions focused on advancing cooperation under the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap, including policies to support digital trade, improve interoperability across digital systems and promote innovation while managing the risks of digital transformation.
Policy dialogues formed the backbone of the meeting, reflecting the growing need for practical, experience-based cooperation as digital technologies evolve faster than regulatory frameworks.
One dialogue examined the rise of new e-commerce models such as live-streaming and social commerce, with economies and industry participants discussing how these models are reshaping cross-border trade, creating new opportunities for small businesses and raising questions around consumer protection and market oversight.
Another dialogue addressed the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence, with discussions centered on building digital resilience and strengthening AI-related capabilities across society. Delegates shared approaches to skills development, education and public awareness, and considered how cooperation can help economies prepare workers, businesses and institutions for the economic and social impacts of AI.
As digital engagement deepens across the region, delegates also exchanged views on children’s safety and wellbeing in online environments, exploring emerging policy responses to risks such as harmful content and online exploitation, alongside efforts to preserve the benefits of digital access for learning and creativity.
In parallel, economies shared experiences on measuring digital trade, highlighting the importance of reliable data to inform policy decisions as digital transactions become a larger part of economic activity.
“Today, as a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation unfolds, the digital economy has become a pivotal driver of growth, social inclusion and sustainable development, and a key pillar of APEC cooperation,” said Qi Xiaoxia of Cyberspace Administration of China, in her opening remarks at the meeting.
Looking ahead, China, as host economy, outlined plans to advance regional digital cooperation through a series of proposed initiatives, including APEC Digital Week activities later in 2026. While still under discussion, these initiatives are intended to provide additional platforms for economies to deepen cooperation on digital transformation, artificial intelligence and data-driven growth.
Economies Press for Open Innovation as Science, Technology and AI Reshape Growth
Issued by the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation
APEC economies called for deeper policy coordination and practical cooperation on science, technology and innovation as artificial intelligence (AI) and other frontier technologies accelerate economic transformation across the Asia-Pacific.
“Currently, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is gaining momentum. Frontier technologies, especially AI, are developing rapidly, opening up new possibilities for human society. At the same time, we are facing intertwined global challenges,” said Chen Jiachang, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of China, in his opening remarks at the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation held this week in Guangzhou.
“As the core engine of global growth, Asia-Pacific economies are closely connected and share common interests, which requires us to strengthen consensus and cooperation, take science, technology and innovation as the key and jointly safeguard overall regional prosperity and stability,” Vice Minister Chen said.
Meeting under the theme Fostering an Open and Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem for Resilient Growth in the Asia-Pacific, policymakers, researchers and experts examined how open innovation, cross-border knowledge flows and public–private collaboration can support productivity growth while addressing challenges such as digital inequality, sustainability and responsible technology governance.
Innovation is one of the three priorities for APEC in 2026, with economies seeking to unlock growth potential through technological change while promoting shared prosperity. Discussions focused on artificial intelligence policy, green and digital transition, open science, researcher mobility and the role of innovation ecosystems in strengthening regional competitiveness.
“In the face of new opportunities and challenges, it is more crucial to pursue science, technology and innovation cooperation with greater focus and sustained efforts,” Vice Minister Chen said.
Dr Hwanil Park, Chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI), emphasized the need for clearer policy direction and measurable outcomes.
“We’re in a global environment where advances in science, technology and AI are reshaping economies and elevating national security concerns. We must advance the group’s role, relevance and visibility within APEC,” Dr Park said.
“PPSTI must provide clear and forward-looking policy direction on science, technology, innovation and AI, and we must demonstrate through concrete and measurable outcomes how cooperation within PPSTI delivers mutual benefits to APEC member economies,” he added.
The meeting reviewed progress and updates on APEC-funded projects, open science initiatives and scientist exchange programs. Economies also exchanged views on new project proposals spanning artificial intelligence, low-carbon technologies, university–industry collaboration, women in science and youth innovation.
Highlighting the importance of openness and collaboration, Hazami Habib, Vice Chair of PPSTI, said economies must harness diversity across the region to translate innovation into inclusive and sustainable growth.
“Fostering an open innovation ecosystem is not merely about technology transfer; it is about building strong partnerships between governments, the private sector, academia and civil society,” she said. “Collaborative approaches enable us to share knowledge, resources and best practices, empowering us to tackle challenges collectively.”
Outcomes from the Guangzhou meeting will inform PPSTI’s future work program and policy recommendations, supporting APEC economies as they seek to leverage science, technology and innovation for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth across the region.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
media@apec.org
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This news release can also be viewed on the APEC website: https://www.apec.org/press/
