The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kaewkamol Karen Pitakdumrongkit as Executive Director of the PECC International Secretariat, effective 1 January 2026. Dr. Pitakdumrongkit has been serving as the Interim Secretary General since February 2025, during which she has contributed actively to advancing PECC’s work in regional cooperation and policy dialogue. Her appointment follows the endorsement of the PECC Standing Committee. Dr....

The Asia-Pacific region faces a pressing challenge: declining birth rates and aging populations are shrinking the workforce and threatening long-term growth. East Asia already records some of the world’s lowest fertility rates, while emerging economies are projected to experience similar demographic shifts in the coming decades. To tackle these challenges, the project highlights key policy priorities: Boosting Productivity : Through digitalization and innovation in high-value industries and...

On June 30, 2025, former CANCPEC Chair Donald. W Campbell was appointed to the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest honours which recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the country. Ambassador Campbell is a highly respected advisor in the private and public sectors and currently serves as Senior Strategy Advisor at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada. His stellar diplomatic career includes service as deputy minister of both...

On Monday, 2 June 2025, we hosted a distinguished delegation from Universidad Panamericana, Mexico City: 🔹 Dr. Santiago García Álvarez, President 🔹 Dr. Héctor Xavier Ramírez Pérez, Vice-Dean 🔹 Mr. Gerson Garudno, CEO, Singapore-Mexico Chamber of Commerce The delegation visited the PECC International Secretariat to gain insight into our mission, programs, and regional initiatives—and to explore meaningful avenues for collaboration between Mexico and the Asia-Pacific. 💡 Highlights: • Dr. García...

The Canadian National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (CANCPEC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Amb. Jonathan T. Fried to succeed Amb. Donald W. Campbell as Chair of CANCPEC, effective June 1, 2025. Amb. Campbell has served as Chair of CANCPEC since 2011 and was concurrently International Co-Chair of PECC from 2012 to 2020. Mr. Hugh Stephens will continue to serve as CANCPEC Vice Chair. Amb. Fried’s distinguished diplomatic career for Canada spanned law, economics, and...

On October 24th, the 2024 Global Ocean Development Forum was held in Qingdao, China. Amb. Zhan Yongxin, Co-Chair of PECC and Chair of CNCPEC attended "East Asia Maritime Cooperation Platform Qingdao Dialogue" of the forum and delivered a speech. Amb. Zhan was also interviewed by Shandong People's Radio, Qingdao Evening News and other media. Amb. Zhan delivered a speech at "East Asia Maritime Cooperation Platform Qingdao Dialogue In his speech, Amb. Zhan said that the ocean is the cradle of...

Mr Arjuna Nadaraja succeeds Mr Christopher Langman as the Chair of the Australian PECC committee (AUSPECC). Mr Arjuna recently retired after an extensive career as an Australian trade official with deep experience on regional economic issues, including services trade negotiations, services competitiveness issues and domestic regulatory reform. He is a former chair of APEC Group on Services. Mr Arjuna brings a wealth of relevant expertise and experience to take on the role of AusPECC Chair,...

Dr Mark Borthwick, former Executive Director of the US PECC committee passed away on 14 July 2024. He was one of the founders and stalwarts of PECC. Through the years Mark led projects on Direct Investment and Technology (1983) and Foreign Investment (1985). On the fifteenth anniversary of PECC, Mark put together the Pacific Economic Development Report, Advancing Regional Integration (PEDR) Report to reflect the extent to which regionalism is being defined and advanced by fundamental economic...

Dr. Nguyen Hung Son succeeds Dr. Vo Tri Thanh as the Chair of the Viet Nam National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (VNCPEC). Dr. Nguyen is also the Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in charge of research. He oversees the two research institutes of the academy, i.e. the Institute for Strategic studies and the East Sea (South China Sea) Institute. Dr Nguyen’s research focus on major powers relations, regional security issues, including maritime security and...

On November 22nd to 23rd, Amb. Zhan Yongxin, Chair, China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation, attended the China·Tianjin Forum for Business Cooperation and Development, and the opening ceremony of the 2023 China (Tianjin) International Trade and Investment Fair, and PECC Expo. About 300 representatives from relevant Foreign Embassies in China, government departments, domestic and foreign business institutions, trade promotion agencies, enterprises, as well as renowned experts,...