Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministers have outlined an ambitious vision for using artificial intelligence, Digital Transformation and trusted digital infrastructure to accelerate economic growth, improve connectivity and strengthen regional collaboration.
Artificial intelligence has become one of the defining technologies shaping global economies, and governments are increasingly recognising that collaboration will be just as important as innovation. That message was reinforced at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting, where ministers from across the region agreed on a shared vision to use Digital Transformation and AI as catalysts for economic growth, social inclusion and regional resilience.
Adopted in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, the Chengdu Statement represents more than another ministerial declaration. It reflects the growing consensus that digital technologies have moved beyond being productivity tools and are now fundamental to economic competitiveness, national resilience and public service delivery.
While individual member economies continue to pursue different regulatory and policy approaches, ministers agreed that cooperation will be essential if the region is to unlock the full value of AI and emerging digital technologies. The statement aligns with APEC’s wider vision of building a prosperous, open and resilient Asia-Pacific community through greater innovation, cooperation and Digital Transformation.
Building the foundations of a connected digital economy
Connectivity remains the cornerstone of APEC’s digital ambitions. Although many economies have made significant progress in expanding broadband and mobile services, substantial disparities remain between urban centres and rural or remote communities.
The ministers therefore placed considerable emphasis on universal and meaningful digital connectivity, recognising that reliable, secure and affordable communications infrastructure is essential for economic participation. Rather than focusing solely on network expansion, the statement encourages investment in resilient digital infrastructure capable of supporting next-generation services while promoting efficient use of radio spectrum and satellite resources.
For technology providers, telecom operators and infrastructure vendors, the commitment represents continued opportunities to deploy advanced communications networks that extend Digital Transformation beyond major metropolitan areas.
The declaration also highlights the importance of creating trusted digital environments that encourage investment while enabling the secure flow of information between economies. As businesses increasingly rely on cloud platforms, AI applications and cross-border digital services, trusted connectivity becomes as important as connectivity itself.
AI becomes an economic growth strategy
One of the strongest themes emerging from the Chengdu Statement is the recognition that AI is no longer viewed as an experimental technology. Instead, ministers describe it as a strategic enabler capable of improving productivity, resilience and competitiveness across manufacturing, agriculture, services and public administration.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on frontier AI development, the statement places significant emphasis on responsible adoption across existing industries. This reflects an increasingly pragmatic approach being adopted by governments worldwide. Success will depend less on who develops the most sophisticated algorithms and more on how effectively organisations integrate AI into day-to-day operations.
The declaration also recognises that Digital Transformation cannot be confined to multinational corporations. Small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups are identified as critical contributors to future economic growth, with ministers encouraging affordable digital tools and practical AI solutions that can improve productivity without creating unnecessary barriers to adoption.
Skills development becomes a regional priority
Technology alone will not determine the success of AI adoption. APEC ministers make it clear that people must remain at the centre of Digital Transformation, recognising that digital literacy and AI skills are becoming fundamental requirements for economic participation and long-term competitiveness.
The statement encourages member economies to expand access to digital education, vocational training and lifelong learning opportunities while sharing best practices across the region. Importantly, the focus extends beyond developing technical specialists. Ministers acknowledge that citizens need the confidence and capability to understand, evaluate and use digital technologies safely and effectively in both their personal and professional lives.
For employers, this signals a growing expectation that workforce development will become an integral component of Digital Transformation strategies. Organisations investing in AI technologies will increasingly need to invest equally in reskilling employees, ensuring new systems complement human expertise rather than simply automating existing processes.
The emphasis on AI literacy is equally significant. As generative AI becomes embedded within enterprise software, public services and consumer applications, policymakers recognise that informed users will be essential to responsible adoption. The Chengdu Statement therefore encourages governments to improve understanding of AI through education, public awareness initiatives, technical assistance and knowledge sharing between member economies. It also highlights the importance of equipping policymakers with sufficient AI knowledge to develop balanced and effective governance frameworks.
This reflects a broader shift taking place globally. AI governance is no longer viewed solely as a regulatory exercise but as a capability challenge requiring governments, businesses and educational institutions to work together to develop digital skills at every level of society.
Trust becomes the foundation of Digital Transformation
While AI promises significant economic benefits, the ministers devote equal attention to the risks accompanying accelerated digital adoption. Cybersecurity, data protection and online fraud are presented not as isolated technical challenges but as issues capable of undermining public confidence in the wider digital economy.
The Chengdu Statement expresses concern about increasing online scams, data breaches and the malicious use of AI technologies. Rather than prescribing detailed regulatory measures, it calls on member economies to strengthen cooperation through information sharing, innovation and the exchange of best practices to create secure, trusted and resilient digital environments.
For enterprise technology leaders, this reinforces a growing reality: successful AI deployment depends as much on governance and trust as on technical capability. Organisations cannot expect customers or employees to embrace AI-powered services unless they are confident their data is protected and systems are resilient against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The statement also broadens responsibility beyond governments. Industry, academia, civil society and the technical community are encouraged to work collaboratively on ICT security, privacy, resilient supply chains, digital infrastructure and child online protection. Such a multi-stakeholder approach recognises that no single organisation can secure the digital economy alone.
For technology vendors, this may translate into greater demand for secure-by-design platforms, transparent AI governance tools and solutions that demonstrate regulatory compliance while maintaining innovation.
Investment and open source drive innovation
Achieving meaningful Digital Transformation requires sustained financial commitment, and APEC acknowledges that digital infrastructure and AI development will demand significant long-term investment. Ministers therefore encourage continued engagement from institutional investors, venture capital firms and financial organisations to expand access to funding, particularly for small businesses and start-ups seeking to adopt advanced digital technologies.
The inclusion of open-source software is another noteworthy element of the statement. Rather than viewing open source as an alternative to commercial innovation, ministers describe trusted open-source approaches as important drivers of technological progress. They encourage member economies to support secure open-source development while respecting intellectual property rights, cybersecurity requirements and data protection obligations.
This balanced approach reflects the increasingly important role that open-source AI models, developer communities and collaborative software ecosystems play in accelerating innovation across both the public and private sectors.
A roadmap rather than a rulebook
Unlike formal legislation or international treaties, the Chengdu Statement is designed to establish a common direction rather than impose binding obligations. That flexibility has long been one of APEC’s defining characteristics, allowing member economies with diverse political systems and economic priorities to collaborate on shared objectives while retaining control over domestic policy.
The declaration repeatedly acknowledges that member economies will continue to pursue different approaches to digital and AI governance. Nevertheless, it identifies several areas where collective action can deliver tangible benefits, including expanding digital connectivity, promoting responsible AI adoption, improving digital skills, strengthening cybersecurity and encouraging greater investment in digital infrastructure.
For multinational organisations operating across the Asia-Pacific region, this degree of policy alignment could prove increasingly valuable. Businesses frequently face fragmented regulatory environments when deploying AI, managing data or expanding cloud-based services across multiple jurisdictions. While the Chengdu Statement does not remove those complexities, it signals a shared commitment to improving interoperability, encouraging policy dialogue and reducing barriers to Digital Transformation where possible.
What it means for the technology industry
For the technology sector, the significance of the Chengdu Statement extends well beyond government policy.
Telecommunications providers are likely to see continued investment in next-generation communications infrastructure as governments seek to expand reliable digital connectivity into underserved communities. Cloud providers and hyperscale operators can expect sustained demand for resilient digital platforms capable of supporting AI workloads while meeting evolving security and compliance expectations.
Cybersecurity vendors will find increasing emphasis on technologies that protect digital infrastructure, strengthen identity management and defend organisations against online fraud and AI-enabled cyber threats. Meanwhile, software developers and enterprise technology providers have an opportunity to deliver AI solutions that are transparent, secure and accessible to organisations of every size.
The statement’s recognition of open-source innovation is also likely to encourage broader collaboration between governments, academia and industry, particularly as organisations seek cost-effective ways to accelerate AI adoption while maintaining robust security and governance standards.
Perhaps most significantly, the declaration reinforces the idea that AI is no longer a specialist technology confined to research laboratories or digital-native companies. Instead, it is becoming a foundational capability underpinning manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education, financial services and public administration across the Asia-Pacific region.
Looking towards Vietnam in 2027
The Chengdu Statement concludes by recognising the progress already made in expanding the digital economy while expressing appreciation to China for hosting the ministerial meeting. Ministers also confirmed that they will reconvene in Vietnam in 2027, where attention is likely to shift from strategic ambition towards measuring practical implementation.
The coming year will therefore be an important test of whether governments can translate high-level commitments into measurable outcomes. Success will depend on sustained investment, effective public-private collaboration and the ability to balance innovation with security and public trust.
For enterprises, the message is equally clear. Digital Transformation is no longer simply about adopting new technologies; it is about building resilient digital ecosystems that combine trusted infrastructure, responsible AI, skilled workforces and secure data environments. Organisations that align their strategies with these priorities will be better positioned to compete in an increasingly digital regional economy.
As AI continues to reshape industries and societies, the Chengdu Statement provides a timely reminder that technological leadership is not determined solely by breakthrough innovation. It is equally dependent on collaboration, inclusion and the willingness of governments, businesses and communities to build a digital future that benefits everyone. If APEC’s ambitions are realised, the Asia-Pacific region could become one of the world’s leading examples of how international cooperation can accelerate responsible Digital Transformation while delivering lasting economic and social value.
