Recent Publications

Taiwan Economic Research Monthly Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Driven by the Dual Axes of "Digital × Sustainability" ‧ Propelled by technological breakthroughs and sustainable development, the Asia-Pacific is entering a new phase of governance and cooperation. This feature examines seven dimensions—digital, energy, services, finance, healthcare, gender, and labor—mapping dual-track transformation pathways. It begins with APEC's Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap (AIDER), which advances digital cooperation through infrastructure, cross-border data flows, and trust mechanisms. In energy, the focus is renewable energy doubling, efficiency gains, and hydrogen cooperation, balancing energy security with low-carbon transition. The APEC Services Competitiveness Roadmap (ASCR) and regulatory reforms address barriers in digital services trade, emphasizing transparency and openness. Finance highlights parallel digital innovation and sustainability, promoting inclusion, infrastructure, green investment, carbon markets, and climate resilience tools. AI diagnostics, telemedicine, and facility decarbonization enhance healthcare resilience. Women face persistent gaps in labor participation, compensation, and digital skills; bridging the digital divide and expanding childcare and elder care infrastructure are essential for converting empowerment into sustainable economic participation. AI adoption alleviates labor shortages from aging populations but raises privacy, bias, and rights challenges, requiring governance based on inclusion, fairness, and accountability. Across these themes, digital and sustainability issues intertwine as dual engines shaping Asia-Pacific cooperation, demonstrating APEC's diverse, forward-thinking approach to global challenges.