New technologies drive a vibrant Asia-Pacific

Turn interdependence into purposeful cooperation among the APEC economies

Where will our next opportunity come from, and what could put it at risk? The answer will be shaped not only by economic growth, technology, trade and investment, but by the quality of our relationships. Whether we are building a company, attracting investment, managing risk, developing talent or entering new markets, success will depend on the ability to cooperate across differences.

That is why APEC matters to all of us. It is not just a forum for economies and policymakers but also part of the environment in which businesses operate, workers build their futures and communities share in economic progress. It helps create the conditions for more open markets, stronger connections, greater resilience and wider opportunities.

Asia's prosperity will depend on whether it can turn interdependence into purposeful cooperation — and ensure that the benefits of growth are shared more broadly.

What will determine Asia's prosperity over the next decade? Economic strength, trade, investment and technological progress will all matter. But so will the ability to trust one another, cooperate across differences and make decisions that create value beyond ourselves. Economic strength creates opportunities, technology creates possibilities and trade connects markets. But trust enables cooperation to endure, and responsible leadership helps ensure that prosperity is shared.

APEC is a forum for economies to exchange experience and pursue practical cooperation while recognizing different circumstances and priorities. But connection does not automatically produce cooperation, and growth does not automatically produce shared prosperity. We must make deliberate choices about how we manage differences and distribute the benefits of progress.

For Asia to prosper, openness must operate at three levels: openness between economies, through trade, investment, connectivity and dialogue; openness between businesses, enabling companies of different sizes and markets to collaborate and participate in regional value chains; and openness in our thinking, so that we recognize emerging risks and adapt to new realities.

Cooperation is equally important, especially when interests differ. Competition can encourage efficiency and innovation, but the question is how we compete. Commercial relationships depend on whether commitments are honored, risks are disclosed, disagreements are handled fairly and each party can rely on the other's conduct. This is why trust is an economic asset. The objective is not to choose between trust and control, but to build systems in which trust is earned and protected.

As we consider the future of the Asia-Pacific region, I suggest three commitments:

First, be open in our thinking and constructive in our engagement. Second, make trust, integrity and responsible innovation central to how we do business. Third, measure success by the opportunities we create for others.