Ministers Issue Joint Statement on Structural Reform

APEC ministers responsible for structural reform issued a joint statement following the conclusion of their two-day meeting in Incheon. The meeting was chaired by Dr Koo Yun Cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea.

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and Aotearoa Plan of Action, adopting the Strengthened and Enhanced APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (SEAASR) 2026-2030, a new five-year roadmap to advance competition, boost innovation and empower all people to share in sustainable growth.

They noted that while progress has been made under earlier reform efforts, structural barriers such as regulatory misalignment and uneven connectivity persist. Ministers called for stronger cooperation, better monitoring and deeper engagement with the private sector to deliver tangible outcomes.

Recognizing the rapid advancement of digitalization and artificial intelligence, ministers called for structural reforms to drive innovation, build trust and advance inclusive digital transformation.

They welcomed the 2026 APEC Economic Policy Report on Structural Reform and AI-Driven Digital Transformation as an opportunity to share best practices and deepen cooperation across the region.

Ministers also highlighted the importance of inclusive growth through better access to education, healthcare and skills development, alongside stronger support for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Read the 2025 APEC Structural Reform Ministers' Joint Statement

Read the Strengthened and Enhanced APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (SEAASR) 2026 - 2030

Also read the Fourth APEC Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Action Plan