Leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies have adopted a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative for 2026–2030, outlining a regional roadmap to harness AI for innovation, sustainable growth, and inclusive economic development. The plan was endorsed during the 2025 APEC Leaders’ Summit in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

According to the APEC Leaders’ Declaration, the initiative seeks to make AI a cornerstone of economic transformation across the 21-member bloc. It aims to foster resilient growth, strengthen cooperation, and promote responsible, secure, and trustworthy AI adoption while ensuring that all economies—regardless of development stage—benefit from technological progress.

The framework sets out three overarching objectives: advancing innovation through secure and reliable AI ecosystems, expanding participation in the AI economy through skills development and collaboration, and building resilient digital and energy infrastructure to sustain AI growth. It aligns with APEC’s Putrajaya Vision 2040 and its broader goals under the Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap (AIDER).

Key actions include voluntary AI readiness reviews, cross-economy collaboration among governments, researchers, and businesses, and capacity-building initiatives for the public and private sectors. Member economies are encouraged to promote AI literacy, strengthen public trust, and prepare workforces for AI-driven transformation.

A major development under the plan is Korea’s announcement of an independently operated Asia-Pacific AI Center, which will support training, innovation, and regional cooperation in AI policy and research.

The initiative also emphasizes the need for public-private partnerships to expand investment in resilient AI infrastructure, including cloud computing, data centers, and sustainable energy systems. Progress will be reviewed annually through APEC’s Digital Economy Steering Group and Telecommunications and Information Working Group, with a final evaluation slated for 2030.

The Gyeongju Declaration positions APEC as a global leader in shaping AI governance and economic integration through innovation, trust, and shared prosperity.

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