Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and its business advisory arm on Saturday, as regional economies prepare for a year of talks under China’s 2026 chairmanship.
Anindya Novyan Bakrie, chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), said Indonesia stood ready to support the APEC Business Advisory Council’s work, stressing Jakarta’s backing for initiatives that deliver concrete outcomes for the region.
“Indonesia is always ready to support ABAC’s impactful and action-oriented work, reaffirming our support for APEC and ABAC under China’s leadership,” Anindya said at the opening of the first ABAC meeting for 2026 in Jakarta.
APEC 2026 carries the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together,” reflecting efforts to strengthen regional ties at a time of geopolitical uncertainty and economic fragmentation.
By prioritizing openness, innovation and cooperation, Anindya said, APEC’s agenda closely aligns with the Indonesian government’s economic principles and development priorities, particularly in trade, investment and regional integration.
He said ABAC, as the official business advisory body to APEC leaders, plays a crucial role in translating shifting geopolitical realities and evolving business dynamics into practical and actionable policy recommendations.
“We hope these recommendations can be presented to leaders in Shenzhen at the end of November,” Anindya said, referring to the planned APEC leaders’ engagement later in the year.
Earlier, APEC formally launched its 2026 agenda, highlighting the need to strengthen economic integration and regional cooperation as the global economy faces slower growth, trade tensions and technological disruption.
Senior officials from the 21 APEC member economies are meeting in Guangzhou, China, from Feb. 1 to Feb. 10 for a series of preparatory discussions and coordination meetings.
In a statement received in Jakarta on Feb. 3, the APEC Secretariat said China, as host, had adopted the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity.”
The theme underscores Beijing’s stated commitment to deepening regional integration and accelerating cooperation across the Asia-Pacific, widely regarded as the world’s most dynamic economic region.
Chen Xu, chair of the APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting for 2026, said the year’s agenda offered a key opportunity for member economies to strengthen unity, deepen cooperation and advance shared prosperity across the region.
