Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Visit to Japan by Mr. Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director, the APEC Secretariat (Overview)
January 30, 2026
From December 13 to 19, Mr. Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director, the APEC Secretariat, visited Japan at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overview is as follows:
This invitation aims to deepen understanding of Japan’s priorities in APEC as the 2031 APEC Host, and to ensure further cooperation going forward by strengthening collaboration with the APEC Secretariat.
During his stay, Mr. Pedrosa deepened his understanding of Japan's APEC initiatives through exchanges with high-level representatives across all sectors—industry, government, and academia. These included a working dinner with Mr. HORII Iwao, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, a courtesy call on Japan’s Members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), and a round-table discussion with prominent Japanese scholars.
Main Schedule and Overview
Monday, December 15
Visit to the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)
- Mr. Pedrosa visited the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry
(RIETI) and held discussions with Dr. TOMIURA Eiichi, President and Chief Research Officer, and other RIETI officials. - Also, they exchanged views on strengthening relations between RIETI and APEC, as well as on trade in services.
Working Dinner with Mr. HORII Iwao, State Minister for Foreign Affairs
Tuesday, December 16
Visit to the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)
- Mr. Pedrosa visited the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and held discussions with its staff and Mr. SERIU Taro, Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Office in Asia.
- They exchanged views on ways to further expand cooperation, based on the longstanding cooperative relationship between APEC and ADB.
Visit to the OECD Tokyo Centre
- He visited the OECD Tokyo Centre and held discussions with Ms. UEDA Naoko, Head of the Centre.
- The OECD and APEC have maintained a cooperative relationship for many years, with numerous OECD experts and officials participating in and contributing to APEC meetings. During the discussions, they exchanged their views on further cooperation between APEC and the OECD.
Courtesy Call on and Exchange of Views with Japan’s Members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)
- He paid a courtesy call on the APEC Business Advisory Council Japan Members: Dr. SUZUKI Jun, Senior Advisor, Teijin Limited; Mr. IKEDA Junichiro, Chairman of the Board, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.; and Mr. FURUSAWA Mitsuhiro, Chairman, International Finance Research Institute, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. During the courtesy call, he received an explanation regarding recommendations from ABAC Japan and affirmed continued cooperation with ABAC Japan to reflect the business community's voice in APEC activities.
- Following that, they exchanged views with the ABAC Japan Members and relevant economic organizations on the importance of strengthening public-private partnership in preparation for Japan’s hosting APEC in 2031.
Wednesday, December 17
Visit to the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC)
- Mr. Pedrosa visited the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) and attended an event officially launching the APEC Energy Demand and Supply Outlook, 9th Edition.
(For details of the event, click here (APERC) and here (APEC).)
Round-table discussion with Japanese academia
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan held a roundtable discussion with Japanese academia, including the APEC Study Center Japan (ASCJ).
- They exchanged views on APEC's role in the new era and collaboration with academia in preparation for Japan’s hosting APEC in 2031.
Thursday, December 18
Lecture and Dialogue Session with Students at the Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo
- A lecture by Mr. Pedrosa and a dialogue session with students were held at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Public Policy.
- Mr. Pedrosa delivered a lecture on APEC's role in achieving sustainable growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the significance of youth engagement with APEC, including the Voices of the Future (VOF) initiative, and held a dialogue session with students. Many participants found the lecture highly beneficial for understanding the international economic situation and APEC's role therein.
