I. Basic Information About ABAC
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is a permanent body representing the business community within the APEC framework, with its international Secretariat based in the Philippines. Its predecessor, the Pacific Business Forum, was established in 1993. In November 1995, it was officially renamed and recognized as a permanent body at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Osaka, Japan. As the primary channel for the Asia-Pacific business community to participate in APEC cooperation, ABAC’s core functions include deliberating on APEC trade and investment liberalization, economic and technical cooperation, and business environment improvement, and providing policy recommendations for regional economic cooperation and prosperity.
ABAC consists of 63 members appointed by the leaders of 21 member economies (three members per economy). Its primary mission is to develop ideas and recommendations for creating a favorable environment for the business community and to submit policy recommendation reports to APEC economic leaders and relevant sectoral ministerial meetings, including those for trade, finance, and other areas. Some economies also appoint alternate members who may serve in the absence of the primary members. ABAC holds four meetings annually, among which the fourth meeting is hosted by the APEC host economy, while the other three are hosted by member economies through a bidding process.
The ABAC Chair is an ABAC member designated by the host economy. The Chair is supported by two Co-Chairs, namely the ABAC Chairs from the preceding and succeeding years. ABAC establishes several working groups each year as needed. Each working group is chaired by an ABAC member appointed by the ABAC Chair.
II. ABAC in 2026
The 2026 theme of ABAC is “Openness, Connectivity, Synergy.” Four working groups have been established, namely, the Regional Economic Integration Working Group (REIWG), the Sustainability Working Group (SWG), the Digital and Innovation Working Group (DIWG), and the Connectivity Working Group (CWG), along with the cross-cutting Finance and Economics Task Force (FETF). Li Fanrong, ABAC member from China and Chairman of Sinochem, serves as the ABAC Chair.
ABAC holds four meetings in 2026. The first meeting of ABAC 2026 was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from February 7 to 9. The second meeting was held in Mexico City, Mexico, from April 22 to 25. The third meeting will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from July 6 to 9. The fourth meeting will be held in Shenzhen, China, in November.
