Aug 18, 2026
Officials from APEC’s 21 member economies are meeting in Dalian from 17 to 28 August to strengthen practical cooperation on issues shaping the region’s economic future. The discussions focus on digital innovation, trade, food security, disaster resilience, health, and supply chains as the Asia-Pacific faces disruptions, rapid technological change, and more frequent extreme weather events.
Innovation is a major part of the agenda, with economies examining how digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, can strengthen business competitiveness, improve productivity, and expand opportunities across the region. Delegates are also working on interoperable standards to help businesses adopt emerging technologies with greater confidence and support deeper regional integration.
Disaster preparedness and food security are also important priorities for strengthening regional and economic resilience. The Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum is advancing early-warning systems and emergency management to help communities prepare for natural hazards. At the same time, discussions in Dalian are supporting the Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou on 25 August, with attention to agricultural technologies such as precision farming and biotechnological breeding to strengthen food supply chains.
Health experts are exploring how technologies such as artificial intelligence can support better health outcomes, including mental health, as populations age across much of the region. These discussions, together with work on trade, technology, food security, and disaster management, aim to address interconnected challenges through practical cooperation among APEC economies.
Around 130 meetings, workshops, and dialogues in Dalian will contribute to discussions before upcoming sectoral ministerial meetings. Senior officials will later reconvene to prepare recommendations for ministers and leaders, with the outcomes also contributing to the larger discussions during APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in November.
For more detailed information about the Third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings, visit this page
Reference
APEC Officials Meet in Dalian to Advance Work on Region’s Economic Priorities | APEC. (s. f.). APEC. https://www.apec.org/press/news-releases/2026/0818_SOM3