The third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) for 2026 took place from July 6 to 9 in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 200 representatives, incoming representatives, and experts from 21 APEC economies attended, focusing discussions on regional economic integration, sustainable development, digital innovation, and connectivity.
The meeting adopted ten core outcome documents, including a letter and report to APEC leaders, and six letters addressed respectively to ministers of finance, energy, small and medium enterprises, digital affairs, food, and transport from each economy. Additionally, three statements were issued on quantum technology, healthcare, and mining. These outcomes will contribute business sector recommendations for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Shenzhen, China, this November.
At the closing session on July 9, Ren Hongbin, Chair of the 2026 APEC CEO Summit and President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, updated attendees on preparations for the Shenzhen summit. He stated that China is fully prepared and extended an invitation to ABAC members and business leaders to participate. The CEO Summit will feature discussions on topics such as Asia-Pacific connectivity, trade and investment facilitation, artificial intelligence, digital economy, clean energy, green finance, supply chain cooperation, and sustainable development.
Li Fanrong, 2026 ABAC Chair and Chairman of Sinochem Holdings, noted that sustained regional prosperity requires economies to work together in seizing opportunities from artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and energy transition, while safeguarding an open and predictable trade and investment environment. He said that amid rising global economic uncertainty, APEC can boost confidence and deliver tangible benefits by advancing openness and collaboration, and ABAC stands ready to turn these priorities into concrete actions.
Kasemsit Pathomsak, ABAC Chair for Thailand, said ABAC will continue to promote the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, strengthen regional supply chain resilience, empower micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, accelerate digital transformation, and foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth. He revealed that ABAC will formally submit recommendations to and engage with leaders in Shenzhen this November, and expressed hope that China will continue to play a leading role in these areas to jointly promote prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
Earlier, the second ABAC meeting for 2026 was held in Mexico City in April, where statements supporting the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and connectivity were issued. Agustín García, incoming ABAC representative from Mexico, said that a key topic supported by Mexico is enhancing Asia-Pacific connectivity, including people-to-people, business, and information links, which will greatly boost economic, trade, and cultural exchanges. Regarding the Shenzhen summit, he expressed optimism that China will continue to lead in trade and investment facilitation and market opening, and believes the summit will be a success.