APEC Economies Adopt AI and Digital Food Security Principles

Ministers from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies adopted the Hangzhou Joint Statement and a set of principles to strengthen food system resilience during the 11th APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou, China. The consensus focuses on utilizing artificial intelligence, agricultural biotechnology, and digital technologies to mitigate risks from extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, and rising production costs.

Chaired by Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Zhang Zhu, the meeting emphasized strengthening rural infrastructure and improving public services in rural regions. Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong and APEC Secretariat Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa called for increased agricultural science cooperation and the closing of the digital divide to ensure technology reaches farmers across various economic stages. Other member states highlighted specific applications, with Peruvian Ambassador Carlos Vasquez advocating for AI to mitigate El Niño events and Papua New Guinea calling for digital ecosystem mapping.

Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trịnh Việt Hùng proposed four strategic directions for cooperation, including the creation of an APEC innovation partnership network and the mobilization of financial resources for scalable innovation. As Vietnam prepares to host the ministerial meeting in 2027, Nguyễn Đỗ Anh Tuấn introduced the upcoming cooperation theme, Innovative and Resilient Agri-Food Systems for Shared Prosperity. The group also recognized the critical role of fisheries and aquaculture in supporting regional nutrition and job creation.