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Shenzhen will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tech for Good Workshop from July 8 to July 10, bringing together policymakers, researchers, business leaders, and representatives from 17 Asia-Pacific economies to explore how technology can better serve humanity.
Officially approved as project PPSTI 110-2025A by APEC, this event is a key highlight of China’s hosting of the APEC summit in 2026. Participants will engage in discussions on responsible technology development and digital governance, aiming to generate policy recommendations, along with showcasing a selection of model cases and actionable guidelines.
Since its founding in 1989, APEC has served as a regional platform uniting 21 member economies to foster economic cooperation, trade, and shared prosperity across the Asia-Pacific region. Hosting the summit in 2026 offers China a chance to influence regional dialogue on issues like trade, innovation, digital governance, and sustainable development.
The workshop will feature 12 keynote presentations and six concurrent forums covering critical topics such as balancing commercial interests with societal benefits, defining the limits of algorithms and rights protection, ethical oversight alongside technological innovation, ensuring accessibility in technology design, the role of the Global South in shaping tech standards, and promoting gender equality within the tech industry.
Alongside panel discussions, the event will release the “Tech for Good: Model Cases and Action Guidelines” and include site visits designed to foster practical recommendations for digital governance throughout the Asia-Pacific area. As a pivotal technology collaboration initiative during China’s APEC Year, the outcomes are expected to contribute regional perspectives toward building an inclusive, trustworthy, and sustainable digital future.
Notable speakers include Dafna Feinholz from UNESCO’s bioethics and science ethics division; Pichamon Yeophantong, a member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights; Akhmad Bayhaqi, senior analyst at the Policy Support Unit; Kommate Jitvanichphaibool, deputy director of the APEC Center for Technology Foresight; and Soledad Quiroz Valenzuela, vice president for policy at the International Network for Governmental Science Advice.
Participation will also include experts from prominent institutions such as Monash University in Australia, Kyoto University in Japan, and the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
Organizers note that participants will represent 17 countries and territories, including Australia, Canada, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
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