Digital and telecommunications ministers from the 21 APEC member economies adopted a joint statement in Chengdu on July 23 setting out shared priorities for connectivity, artificial intelligence and online trust.\n\nThe statement encourages investment in reliable and affordable networks, with particular attention to rural and remote communities. It also calls for cooperation on spectrum and satellite resources, data flows and resilient communications infrastructure. The language is a regional policy commitment rather than a binding treaty, so implementation will depend on decisions made by individual member economies.\n\nOn artificial intelligence, ministers supported responsible adoption across manufacturing, agriculture, services and public administration. They urged easier access to digital tools for small and medium-sized businesses and expanded AI literacy for students, workers and policymakers.\n\nThe agreement also identifies data breaches, online scams and deliberate misuse of emerging technologies as threats to public trust. It encourages cooperation among governments, industry, researchers and civil society on cybersecurity, data protection, supply-chain resilience, child online safety and anti-scam measures.\n\nAPEC also endorsed investment in energy and digital infrastructure and recognized a role for trusted open-source projects that use strong security safeguards. The organization’s Digital Week program continues in Chengdu through late July, with workshops and ministerial meetings focused on digital inclusion, data and AI adoption.\n\nSource: APEC 2026 Digital and AI Ministerial Statement — https://www.apec.org/meeting-papers/sectoral-ministerial-meetings/telecommunicationsandinformation/2026-apec-digital-and-ai-ministerial-statement\n\nSource: APEC Digital Week program — https://www.apec.org/engage-with-us/events-calendar/2026/digital-weeks--including-digital-and-ai-ministerial-meeting-dmm-and-other-high-level-events