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The APEC Automotive Dialogue (AD) serves as the principal public–private platform in the Asia‑Pacific for discussing automotive policy and the rapid emergence of new vehicle technologies. By convening senior officials, industry executives, and academic specialists, the AD fosters a shared understanding of regulatory challenges and opportunities across trade, transport, and energy sectors. Its mandate is practical: translate multi‑stakeholder conversations into implementable advice presented to APEC Ministers and Leaders.
Operating at the intersection of policy and technology, the AD emphasizes three complementary workstreams. These combine deliberative exchanges, hands‑on capacity building, and evidence‑based research. Together they aim to smooth the region’s transition to electrified mobility, connected systems, and other advanced vehicle solutions while preserving trade flows and promoting sustainability.
Mandate and program structure
The AD’s remit centers on generating actionable policy guidance and supporting member economies as they adapt regulatory frameworks. A fundamental output is recommendations provided to APEC decision makers; these recommendations emerge from structured meetings, targeted workshops, and commissioned studies. The Dialogue aligns its work with APEC strategic guidance, including the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, the Aotearoa Plan of Action, the APEC Connectivity Blueprint, the 2026 APEC Leaders’ Declaration, and the Bangkok Goals.
Core areas of activity
Policy discussions
The AD facilitates concentrated exchanges on trade rules, technical regulation, and cross‑sectoral coordination. Through these discussions, participants craft recommendations that cut across trade, transport, and energy policy domains. Topics routinely include market trends, harmonization of standards, and regulatory approaches to digital systems in vehicles. The Dialogue treats policy discussions as a mechanism for turning diverse viewpoints into pragmatic next steps for economies with varying capacities.
Capacity building
Workshops and tailored initiatives form the AD’s approach to strengthening institutional readiness. These activities focus on equipping regulators, testing authorities, and industry actors to manage the transition toward electric vehicles, alternative fuels such as hydrogen mobility, and the integration of automated systems. The AD frames these efforts as capacity building that reduces implementation gaps and promotes inclusive access to new mobility technologies.
Research and policy tools
To ground recommendations in evidence, the AD commissions analytical reports and develops practical instruments that help economies design safe and efficient deployment plans. Outputs include studies on battery safety, charging infrastructure interoperability, and frameworks for testing autonomous driving technologies. These resources are treated as policy tools that member economies can adapt to local conditions.
Recent meetings, themes, and upcoming sessions
In 2026 the AD held two formal sessions: AD 41 on 9–10 May in Jeju and AD 42 on 1–2 August in Incheon. Delegates discussed a set of priorities that reflect APEC’s broader agenda on innovation, sustainability, and inclusion. Core conversation areas included global and regional market dynamics, the EV and battery ecosystem covering safety and infrastructure, measures to facilitate trade and investment, and the policy implications of artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced driver assistance systems.
During those meetings participants also explored regulatory topics such as cybersecurity, telematics, and data interoperability. There was sustained attention on ensuring mobility systems remain inclusive and environmentally responsible. The AD’s outputs from 2026 informed subsequent recommendations to APEC officials and fed into capacity‑building roadmaps for member economies.
Next steps and AD43
Looking ahead, AD43 is scheduled for 12–13 May 2026 in Shanghai, China. That session is expected to continue the Dialogue’s emphasis on translating technical discussion into policy guidance, with particular emphasis on infrastructure readiness, harmonized technical standards, and supply‑chain resilience. Participants will likely review recent research, update best practice toolkits, and prioritize follow‑up actions to assist economies at different stages of the technology transition.
Deliverables and long‑term impact
The AD’s principal deliverables are the policy recommendations it produces for APEC Ministers and Leaders and the suite of analytic and capacity‑building materials it makes available to member economies. By blending expert input with practical tools, the Dialogue seeks to accelerate safe, efficient, and sustainable adoption of new vehicle technologies across the region. The AD’s approach emphasizes cooperation, adaptability, and a focus on outcomes that support both innovation and inclusive economic growth.
For reference, the AD’s public information was last updated in April 2026. Stakeholders interested in participating in or tracking the Dialogue’s work can consult APEC channels for agendas, published studies, and workshop summaries.