From 31 January to 2 February 2026, the APEC Center for Technology Foresight (APEC CTF), participated in the APEC 2026 Senior Officials’ Meeting 1 (SOM1) and the 27th Meeting of the Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI), along with related meetings in Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. The participation aimed to support the advancement of APEC cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI) and to exchange approaches for developing innovation policies that address regional challenges.

The Thai delegation was led by Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, Executive Director of APEC CTF and President of NXPO as Thailand’s representative. On 31 January 2026, Dr. Surachai attended the Mission-Oriented Innovation Policy (MOIP) Committee meeting at the Baiyun International Convention Center. The meeting served as a platform to discuss and exchange views on new policy approaches that emphasize defining clear and ambitious “missions” to tackle complex socio-economic challenges, as well as ways to enhance policy effectiveness and increase tangible outcomes of cooperation under the APEC framework.

On 1 February 2026, NXPO, through APEC CTF, officially participated in the 27th PPSTI meeting at Zhushui Hall, Guangzhou Baiyun International Conference Center. Dr. Surachai presented APEC CTF’s progress and achievements to highlight the Center’s role and importance in promoting the use of “foresight” processes to guide STI policy directions in the APEC region. He also reported on the Center’s work in strengthening cooperation and building the capacities of member economies. During the meeting, APEC CTF shared its experience in the APEC region, particularly the use of foresight to identify key “missions” for sustainable development and to build cooperative networks among economies to promote knowledge exchange and technology transfer necessary to achieve shared missions.

The meeting also discussed key issues related to fostering sustainable cooperation, strengthening linkages with other APEC working groups, and exploring approaches for future joint initiatives between PPSTI and specialized units under the PPSTI framework, with the aim of reinforcing networks and further enhancing STI collaboration across the region.

In addition, APEC CTF, presented progress updates on APEC-endorsed projects under Parallel 3: Enhancing Regional Science and Technology Connectivity. The presentation was delivered by Dr. Kommet Jitvanichphaiboon, Deputy Director of APEC CTF, together with Dr. Srichattra Chaivongvilan, Strategist1. The three projects are:

THA, PPSTI 206 2024A, Comparative Analysis and Foresight of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) in APEC

• THA, PPSTI 211 2024A, Identification of Emerging Signals Affecting Carbon Neutrality in APEC Using Foresight
• THA, PPSTI 03 2024S, APEC Energy Transition Towards Net Zero: Foresight Scenarios and Policy Impact