Collective action across the Asia-Pacific region is crucial for sustainability, inclusivity and innovation amid climate change, economic inequality and the rapid pace of technological transformation.
This was emphasized in the public symposium on “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper”, which was hosted by the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN) of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
The event brought together policymakers, educators and regional experts from various sectors. It provided a platform for dialogue on overcoming regional challenges and building resilience through cross-sectoral collaboration.
Dr. Jikyeong Kang, president of the Asian Institute of Management, highlighted the economic importance and expanding global influence of the Asia-Pacific region.
“Many of us think that [prosperity] would be a very ambitious goal, given that more than 13 percent of the 117 million [Filipinos still live] in poverty. However, there are opportunities for upward mobility,” she said.
Kang highlighted the role of digital technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, in reshaping value chains and creating new economic prospects. However, she said these advancements should prioritize equity and inclusion to ensure that the benefits of progress reach all sectors of society.
Building on this theme, Dr. Alma Berowa, vice president for academic affairs at the Mindanao State University System, argued for a broader definition of prosperity.
