Ministers and senior representatives at the Data for
Growth High-Level Roundtable in Chengdu on Saturday
highlighted the growing importance of data as a driver of
innovation, productivity and growth, calling for deeper
collaboration to unlock its potential across the
Asia-Pacific.
Opening the roundtable, Liu Liehong,
Administrator of China’s National Data Administration said
data has become a foundational resource and an engine of
innovation reshaping how economies produce, govern and
grow.
“Data is opening new spaces for economic and
social development, it is already deeply integrated in
scientific research, public services and infrastructures,”
Liu said. “The value of data keeps expanding but how to
harness it to empower development and benefit our people is
a common task for all of us.”
“Strengthening
exchange and cooperation around data for growth will help
further enrich APEC’s digital economy cooperation,” he
added.
Discussions highlighted the need to make data
more accessible while ensuring it is used responsibly,
recognizing that high-quality data has become an essential
resource for an economy increasingly powered by artificial
intelligence (AI).
“The ways in which data resources
are developed and used are diverse, and no single model is
applicable to all economies. Open exchange can enhance
understanding, experience-sharing can promote mutual
learning, and practical cooperation can deliver win-win
outcomes,” Liu added.
Discussions underscored the
importance of interoperable data governance in giving
businesses more confidence to use and share data. When data
is integrated into business models and decision-making in a
secure and responsible manner, ministers highlighted how it
can increase efficiency, creativity and
competitiveness.
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Rather than identical rules, speakers
called for different systems to work together securely as
data moves across the region, delivering faster trade and
more resilient supply chains.
“Advancing data for
growth should become an important direction for the future
joint efforts of APEC economies. As digital technologies
continue to develop, data-related issues have moved beyond
any single field and increasingly span innovation, industry,
trade, logistics, public services and many other areas,”
Liu emphasized.
Participants also highlighted
practical work on sharing public data to deliver benefits
for businesses and society. Weather data was one key
example, when integrated with predictive AI models, it can
help farmers protect crops, logistics operators prepare for
disruptions and emergency services respond
faster.
“Data creates value, and cooperation unlocks
potential. Today’s roundtable is not the end of a
discussion, but a new starting point for APEC to deepen
exchange and cooperation around data for growth to
strengthen policy communication and share the benefits of
the digital era,” Liu
concluded.
