<\/p>\n
\u00a0On 18 December 2025, the Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), The University of Tokyo, hosted the 95th<\/sup> Public Policy Seminar titled APEC\u2019s Vision for the Future of the Asia-Pacific Region: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Role of Youth in APEC<\/i>. The seminar featured Mr. Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat, and brought together students, faculty members, and policy practitioners to explore APEC\u2019s evolving role in regional cooperation and the contributions of youth in shaping the region\u2019s future.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The seminar opened with remarks by Professor Daiji Kawaguchi, Dean of GraSPP, who emphasized GraSPP\u2019s longstanding engagement with APEC-related initiatives and its commitment to nurturing the next generation of policy leaders. He highlighted the value of creating platforms where students can interact directly with practitioners working on frontline policy issues. This was followed by opening remarks from Ambassador Shige Watanabe, Ambassador in Charge of Economic Diplomacy and APEC Senior Official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Ambassador Watanabe underscored APEC\u2019s continued relevance amid global uncertainty, noting its significant share of global trade and population and Japan\u2019s active leadership within the forum.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0In his keynote lecture, Mr. Pedrosa provided a comprehensive overview of APEC\u2019s historical evolution, institutional architecture, and strategic priorities. He explained APEC\u2019s distinctive characteristics as a non-binding, consensus-based forum that convenes government, business, and academic communities from 21 member economies to advance sustainable growth, trade liberalization, and regional economic integration. He also stressed the growing importance of youth participation in the context of demographic change in the Asia-Pacific, inviting students to reflect on the kind of world they wish to create over the next 15 years and the roles they may play as future policymakers.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0An engaging Q&A session followed, addressing key issues facing the region today. Participants raised questions on geopolitical fragmentation, the proliferation of bilateral and plurilateral trade agreements, and the so-called \u201cspaghetti bowl\u201d of overlapping frameworks such as CPTPP and RCEP. Mr. Pedrosa emphasized that multilateral cooperation remains essential for managing fragmentation and enhancing regional resilience. The discussion also covered rising protectionism and economic security strategies in sensitive sectors, particularly semiconductors and high-technology supply chains, where cooperation can strengthen collective stability.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Further questions addressed Japan\u2019s role within APEC, with Mr. Pedrosa noting Japan\u2019s active participation across multiple regional frameworks and reaffirming APEC\u2019s member-driven nature as a strength in setting priorities through dialogue and shared learning. He also reflected on emerging linkages between Asia-Pacific initiatives and groupings, pointing to opportunities for deeper cross-regional cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0In his closing remarks, Dean Kawaguchi summarized the seminar\u2019s key messages, stressing the dynamism of economic development in the region, the importance of international collaboration in addressing shared challenges, and the value of diversity among APEC member economies. He reaffirmed that educational institutions such as GraSPP play a crucial role in equipping young leaders to contribute to APEC\u2019s vision of a resilient, open, and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n (Written by Tanawat Papaeng, PhD Student<\/span>)<\/p>\n\n\t\t