APEC Digital and AI Ministers' Meeting Adopts Ministerial Statement

APEC Digital Week was held in Chengdu, China, from July 16, 2026 (Thursday), to July 29, 2026 (Wednesday). As part of the week, the Digital and AI Ministers' Meeting (TELMIN12) was held on July 23 (Thursday), where APEC economies discussed policy challenges in the information and communications sector. As an outcome of these discussions, a ministerial statement was adopted.

The agenda set by China as chair consisted of three themes: strengthening digital and AI technologies for development; promoting universal and meaningful digital connectivity; and supporting digital inclusion and the improvement of digital skills.

Senior Deputy Director-General Shibuya pointed out that building an environment for continued learning throughout people's lives is important for responding to rapid technological change.

From Japan, Shibuya, Deputy Director-General for IT Strategy at the Minister's Secretariat of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended and introduced the principle of digitalization that leaves no one behind and is people-friendly, aiming to create a society in which everyone, including people with disabilities and older people, can enjoy the benefits of digital technology.

Regarding human resources development measures, it was explained that efforts are underway to revise the Digital Skill Standards (DSS), operate the Information Technology Engineers Examination, which has a history of more than 50 years, build a Digital Skills Platform to support individuals' continuous learning, and establish a new Data Management Examination.

At the High-Level Dialogue hosted by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), participants discussed economic and social development through digital and AI technologies. Miyashita, Vice Chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China and Director of the Beijing Office of the Japan-China Economic Association, spoke from Japan and introduced the importance of DX and AI use and the creation of innovation by Japanese companies operating in China.

At the AI High-Level Forum hosted by China's Cyberspace Administration (CAC), participants discussed cooperation toward the safe development and use of AI and the promotion of AI innovation, and adopted an outcome document.

At the High-Level Roundtable on Data for Growth hosted by China's National Data Administration (NDA), participants discussed economic growth and digital inclusion through data utilization. Japan introduced Trusted, Free Flow of Data (DFFT) and the industrial data collaboration platform URANOS Ecosystem, and a chair's statement was released. In addition, Senior Deputy Director-General Shibuya, together with Senior Deputy Director-General Imagawa of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, engaged in dialogue with U.S. government officials on policy challenges.