Officials from APEC’s 21 member economies are meeting
in Dalian from 17 to 28 August to advance practical
cooperation on the policies shaping the region’s economic
future, from digital innovation and trade to food security
and disaster resilience.
As the Asia-Pacific navigates
supply chain disruptions, rapid technological change and
more frequent extreme weather events, discussions will focus
on strengthening resilience, boosting productivity and
expanding opportunities across the region.
Across much
of the agenda, economies are exploring how innovation can
help address some of the region’s biggest economic
challenges. Discussions will examine how digital
technologies, including artificial intelligence, can
strengthen business competitiveness, improve productivity
and expand opportunities for people across the
Asia-Pacific
As the region faces more frequent extreme
weather conditions, disaster preparedness and food security
are also in focus to strengthen regional and economic
resilience.
Senior representatives and experts will
convene for the Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum,
advancing early-warning systems and emergency management to
help communities across the region better prepare for
natural hazards.
Building momentum for the Food
Security Ministerial Meeting which will be held in Hangzhou
on 25 August, high-level discussions in Dalian will advance
agricultural technologies, including precision farming and
biotechnological breeding, to strengthen food supply chains
amid growing disruptions.
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With populations aging
across much of the region, health experts will also explore
how technologies such as artificial intelligence can support
better health outcomes, including mental
health.
Delegates will also cooperate to advance work
on interoperable standards, helping businesses adopt
emerging technologies with greater confidence while
supporting deeper regional integration.
“The
challenges facing our region are becoming more
interconnected, and so is APEC’s response,” said Eduardo
Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC
Secretariat.
“The work taking place over the next
two weeks helps economies solve practical problems together,
from making supply chains more resilient to ensuring
innovation and digital technologies support sustainable
growth. This will then feed into the larger discussion that
we’ll have during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week this
November.”
Outcomes from around 130 meetings,
workshop and dialogues in Dalian will help shape discussions
ahead of upcoming sectoral ministerial meetings before
senior officials reconvene later this year to prepare
recommendations for ministers and
leaders.
