APEC draft outlines four priorities for October 21 adoption
The APEC draft submitted by Thailand’s Finance Ministry covers household support, digital infrastructure funding and wider financial access.
- Utilizing fiscal policy and efficient public spending to provide direct support to households and improve their welfare.
- Promoting private-sector and multilateral bank financing for the development of digital infrastructure.
- Expanding access to affordable and practical financial services to reduce economic disparities and support small businesses.
- Developing skills for young and emerging finance professionals to prepare them for future economic and technological changes.
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has submitted the draft 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Joint Statement to the Cabinet for approval, Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Perisvivatana said on October 15, 2026. APEC finance ministers are scheduled to adopt the statement in Hong Kong on October 21.
The APEC draft identifies four areas of cooperation among the grouping’s 21 member economies: household support through fiscal policy, digital infrastructure financing, wider access to financial services and skills development for the next generation of finance professionals.
The joint statement is scheduled for adoption during the 33rd APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting, taking place on October 20–21 in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. The draft aims to strengthen economic and financial cooperation to support inclusive and sustainable growth.
Lalida said the APEC draft emphasised credible and flexible fiscal and monetary policies to sustain growth amid global economic uncertainty. It also promotes digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) as tools to improve productivity and competitiveness.
APEC draft links fiscal policy to household welfare
The APEC draft prioritises more efficient public spending so that fiscal measures can stimulate consumption and deliver tangible improvements in household welfare and living standards.
Investment in human capital also features in the APEC draft as a foundation for long-term economic growth. The proposals emphasise connecting public expenditure with improvements in households’ quality of life.
APEC draft promotes private funding for digital infrastructure
The APEC draft encourages private-sector funding for digital infrastructure and a stronger role for multilateral development banks in reducing investment risks through guarantees and blended finance.
The proposed APEC approach calls for transparent, investment-friendly policy and regulatory frameworks to support the development of digital infrastructure essential to the modern economy.
APEC proposals widen financial access and develop young talent
Lalida said the APEC draft sought to expand access to financial services that were affordable, reliable, practical and responsive to the differing needs of individuals, households and businesses.
The APEC financial-inclusion proposals aim to narrow economic disparities and create livelihood opportunities, particularly for small businesses and people who do not yet have access to financial services.
The APEC draft also supports continued programmes for young people and emerging finance professionals in 2027 to prepare them for economic and technological change. These would follow a programme organised by China in 2026 under the theme of digital innovation for development and growth.
Lalida said the government wanted international economic cooperation to deliver practical benefits through fiscal policies supporting households, digital infrastructure development and wider financial access.
“Sustainable economic growth requires people and businesses from all groups to have appropriate access to financial tools and technology,” Lalida said.
APEC joint statement would carry no international legal obligations
Lalida said the draft APEC joint statement expressed an intention to strengthen economic and financial cooperation, would have no binding effect under international law and would not be signed.
The government intended to use APEC cooperation on digital finance and fiscal policy to create economic opportunities and improve living standards over the long term, Lalida added.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, Office of the Council of State, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council and Bank of Thailand had raised no objections to the draft’s principles or substantive content, according to Lalida.
