In 1993, APEC Leaders decided to establish a network of APEC Study Centers (ASCs) among universities and research institutions in APEC member economies. This initiative is a part of the vision set out by APEC Leaders when they launched the “APEC Leaders' Education Initiative.” to foster regional cooperation among tertiary and research institutes to promote greater academic collaboration on key regional economic challenges.
ASCs’ objectives are to foster research and academic discussions supporting the broader APEC mission of regional economic integration and which are a means to building networks of academic professionals in the region.
Each of the 21 member economies hosts study centers. Today there are more than 70 ASCs, and together they form the APEC Study Centers Consortium (ASCC).
The ASCC holds an annual conference hosted by one of the centers in the APEC Host Economy for the year. The annual conference provides an opportunity for academics and scholars from around the region to discuss their research and identify areas for collaboration.
ASCs are independent from APEC and their functions. Funding arrangements are not uniform. Financial support is provided through both public and private funding, and research topics are usually chosen by individual study centers, which assures their independence and flexibility, ensuring the integrity of the ASC process.
Annual ASCC Activities
| APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference 2025 | May 2025 | Jeju, Korea |
| Themes: “Advancing Discussion on the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP)” – “Building Supply Chain Resilience” – “Digital Innovation and AI” – “Addressing Climate Change and Sustainable Growth” – “Promoting Inclusive Prosperity” | ||
| APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference 2024 | 22nd – 23rd August 2024 | Lima, Peru |
| Panel Topics: “Trade and investment for inclusive and interconnected growth” – “Innovation and digitalization to promote transition to the formal and global economy” – “Sustainable growth for resilient development” | ||
| APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference 2023 | 15th November 2023 | University of California–Berkeley, CA, USA |
| Panel Topics: “Trade Dynamics” – “Inclusion and Resilience” – “Sustainability and Environment” | ||
| APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference 2022 “Post covid-19 and future direction of APEC” | 21st – 22nd July 2022 | Phuket, Thailand |
| Session Topics: “Post COVID and Future Directions” – “Connectivity and Future Technology” – “Trade, Investment, and Regional Economic Integration” | ||
| APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference 2021 | 6th – 7th July 2021 | Virtual, hosted by New Zealand |
| Session Topics: “Trade Issues” – “Investment Issues” – “Sustainable Development: Addressing Climate Change” – “Digital Trade Issues” – “Digital Trade Issues” – “Inclusive Growth” | ||
| APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference 2020 “Towards an Inclusive, Sustainable Growth and Shared Prosperity Post-Pandemic” | 23rd September 2020 | Virtual, hosted by Malaysia |
| Priority Areas: “Improving the Narrative of Trade and Investment” – “Inclusive Economy Participation through Digital Economy and Technology” - “Driving Innovative Sustainability” | ||