APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting
Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China | 10 February 2026
The first APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of 2026 concluded in Guangzhou, marking the formal opening of China’s APEC host year. Senior officials met amid rising economic uncertainty, with discussions centered on openness, innovation, and cooperation as foundations for regional growth.
Openness and Regional Integration
Opening the meeting, Wang Yi emphasized that the international environment has become more volatile, posing challenges to economic growth and regional integration. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to the “APEC way,” highlighting consultation, consensus-building, and constructive management of differences.
Moreover, Minister Wang underscored openness as the lifeblood of APEC economies. He called for stronger macroeconomic policy coordination, deeper trade and investment liberalization, and continued support for a WTO-centered multilateral trading system. Advancing connectivity among regional trade arrangements and building momentum toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) were identified as key priorities.
Innovation and Digital Transformation
Innovation emerged as a second major pillar of the 2026 agenda. Senior officials examined ways to accelerate digital transformation, strengthen cooperation on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and improve digital infrastructure and skills.
As a result, discussions focused on ensuring that innovation-driven growth delivers broader and more inclusive benefits across the Asia-Pacific region.
Sustainable and Inclusive Development
A third pillar of the meeting focused on sustainable and inclusive development. Planned work spans energy, food security, public health, small and medium-sized enterprises, women’s economic participation, population aging, anti-corruption efforts, and environmental challenges.
Minister Wang emphasized that economic growth must be inclusive and environmentally sustainable. He highlighted the importance of supporting developing economies, ensuring that emerging technologies benefit more people, and promoting green and low-carbon development.
Looking Ahead
Concluding the meeting, Ambassador Chen Xu, Chair of the APEC 2026 Senior Officials’ Meeting, noted that the Guangzhou discussions laid a strong foundation for the year ahead. Senior officials’ meetings will continue in Shanghai and Dalian, alongside sectoral ministerial meetings leading up to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November.
Reference
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. (2026, February 10). Minister Wang Yi to senior officials: Build Asia-Pacific community. APEC. https://www.apec.org