The APEC Photo Contest is back, inviting photographers
from across the Asia-Pacific to capture people, places and
moments that reflect this year’s theme, “Building an
Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.”
The 2026
contest welcomes photographs inspired by the theme or one of
APEC China’s three priorities of the
year:
- Openness, which captures the connections
that link people, communities and economies across
borders; - Innovation, which reveals the ideas and
creative solutions shaping the future; - Cooperation,
which celebrates working together and collective action
throughout the region.
Participants may submit
up to three photographs taken with a professional camera,
digital camera or mobile phone. Only minor digital editing
is allowed. The contest is open to citizens or residents of
APEC’s
21 member economies.
Submissions may capture how
these priorities improve lives, strengthen businesses and
lift communities across the Asia-Pacific through the
perspective of those experiencing them every
day.
“Every photograph tells a story about how people
and communities are creating opportunity across the
Asia-Pacific,” said Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of
the APEC Secretariat.
“Together, these photographs
stories offer a powerful perspective on what prosperity
means across our region and help tell the human stories
behind APEC’s work.”
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Photos may be submitted
through an online
form before the deadline of 24 August 2026 at 23:59
Singapore time.
An international panel of judges will
evaluate entries based on their interpretation of APEC’s
2026 theme and priorities, composition and quality, as well
as creativity and message.
The winner of the judges’
prize will receive SGD2,500, while the second and third
place winners will receive SGD2,000 and SGD1,500,
respectively.
The top 10 finalists will be revealed in
early October, after which the public can vote for their
favorite photograph via the official platform on apec.org. The image receiving
the most votes will win the Popular Choice Award of
SGD1,000.
In addition, participants may also share
their entries through Instagram to stand a chance to win the
Influencer Award worth SGD 1,000, which recognizes the entry
generating the highest engagement during the contest
period.
The winners will be announced during the APEC
Economic Leaders’ Week in Shenzhen, China in
November.
