China has announced that the city of Shenzhen will host the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. This marks the third time the nation will lead the forum, which brings together 21 economies to promote sustainable growth and free trade.
Organizers established the theme "Building an Asia-Pacific community to prosper together" for the upcoming summit. The forum will focus on economic openness, innovation, and regional cooperation.
China plans to use the event to facilitate dialogue regarding supply chain challenges and the transition toward digital economies. The summit arrives during a period of geopolitical tension and global economic uncertainty.
A global economic powerhouse
The participating economies represent approximately 60% of global GDP and nearly half of all world trade. The group includes United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Chile from the Americas, alongside major Asian economies such as Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.
Oceanian members include Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. The forum serves as a primary platform for coordinating economic policies and technical cooperation among these diverse nations.
China’s previous hosting in 2014, held in Beijing, resulted in the "Beijing Roadmap" for trade and investment liberalization. That summit was also noted for high-level diplomatic moments, such as the meeting between Xi Jinping and Shinzō Abe.
China has launched the official APEC 2026 website, www.apec2026.cn, to serve as the primary information hub for the event.
