The 16th APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting concluded in Beijing

China News Service, Beijing, September 11 (Reporter Wang Mengyao) The 16th APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting concluded in Beijing on the 11th, and the "2026 APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting Joint Statement" was released on the same day.

Wang Hongzhi, chairman of the 2026 APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting and director of China's National Energy Administration, said at a press conference held after the meeting that the joint statement not only condenses the current consensus on energy cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, but will also contribute to serving the overall interests of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) cooperation and promoting long-term regional prosperity.

He pointed out that the joint statement practices true multilateralism and contributes Asia-Pacific solutions to the chaotic global energy situation. At present, the international energy market is experiencing intensified shocks, extreme climate and natural disasters occur frequently, energy security issues are highlighted, and the pace of global green and low-carbon transformation is diverging. The effectiveness of global energy governance needs to be enhanced urgently. APEC member economies contribute more than 60% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) and about 60% of energy demand, making them an important part of the global energy landscape. APEC member economies adhere to the principles of consensus and seeking common ground while reserving differences to reach this statement, which in itself is a powerful practice of multilateralism.

The joint statement adheres to a pragmatic and feasible orientation and clears the path of action for regional energy development. Wang Hongzhi said that the joint statement proposed that the pace of energy transformation should not be "one size fits all" and respect the resource endowments and development stages of each economy. It not only affirms the development direction of renewable energy, but also recognizes the role of fossil energy in system stability. It embodies the governance concept of "build first and then destroy, and orderly transformation" to ensure that energy security and people's livelihood are not affected during the transformation process. At the same time, the joint statement also focuses on connecting with this year's APEC consensus on trade, digital, artificial intelligence and other fields, opening up a linkage chain for cross-field policy coordination, and cultivating new growth points for the innovative development of the Asia-Pacific.

Wang Hongzhi said that the value of the joint statement lies in the cooperation process it starts. China will continue to play a constructive role and work with other economies to turn consensus into action and blueprint into reality, making new contributions to building an inclusive, innovative and coordinated Asia-Pacific Energy Community and promoting common prosperity in the region.