Data-driven insights and thought leadership help CEOs and policymakers shape the future of the Asia-Pacific economy.
The first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, held in Seattle in 1993, marked the entry of the private sector into the regional process, laying early foundations for greater trade and investment cooperation. Today, APEC spans 21 member economies that account for nearly half of global trade and about 60% of global GDP, giving it a significant role in shaping the global economic agenda.
From October 28 to 31, 2025, the APEC CEO Summit is taking place in Gyeongju, South Korea, bringing together CEOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to address issues shaping the region’s future—from digital innovation to sustainability and inclusive growth. Deloitte, serving as Knowledge Partner, is contributing evidence-based insights through its inaugural APEC CEO Survey report, capturing the sentiment and strategies of 1,252 senior executives from 18 APEC member economies, and shedding light on the opportunities and challenges shaping business across one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
The business pulse
Set against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, shifting geopolitical dynamics, climate imperatives, and rapid technological advances, the APEC CEO Summit is providing a platform for strengthening trade cooperation while driving development across the region. Over four days, Deloitte’s subject matter specialists and leaders will bring the CEO Survey’s insights to the forefront through keynote addresses, expert panels, and media briefings. The report lays the groundwork for discussions around digital transformation, sustainability, and trade—the pillars of this year’s ‘Bridge, Business, Beyond’ Summit theme.
The Deloitte APEC CEO Survey 2025 provides a fresh lens on how Asia-Pacific’s business leaders are balancing risk and ambition during a year of global uncertainty. While fewer than 45% of those surveyed expressed optimism for the global economy, 72% of CEOs are optimistic about their company’s outlook.
“APEC’s CEOs are not retreating in the face of uncertainty,” says David Hill, CEO of Deloitte Asia Pacific. “They are leaning in and practicing what we call ‘expansive resilience’—turning disruption into opportunity, and volatility into advantage.” Deloitte attributes this optimism to the region’s experience weathering multiple crises, including pandemic recovery and shifting trade dynamics. Rather than simply reacting, leaders are looking ahead: investments in technology, leadership capability, and sustainability are accelerating, laying the groundwork for long-term growth.
Rethinking growth and risk
Deloitte’s CEO Survey Report also reveals a shift in the strategies powering regional growth. Presently, 42% of APEC leaders cite technology adoption as the principal growth driver; already, 60% of companies apply artificial intelligence in multiple business functions, including customer engagement, supply chain management, and workforce analytics. However, Deloitte’s data points indicate that within three years, the priority will shift to new products and innovation—reflecting a move from enabling digitization to driving creativity as a core source of growth.
Signaling a proactive approach to growth, over half of the CEOs surveyed also plan to broaden their supply chains within the next year to mitigate geopolitical complexity. At the same time, 59% intend to increase sustainability investment this year, aligning business goals with environmental priorities and ensuring competitiveness keeps pace with climate imperatives. “Our findings show that APEC’s business leaders are on the front foot, turning uncertainty into opportunity and driving the region forward,” adds Hill.
The survey sheds light on how regional leaders are navigating today’s shifting global environment, including a rising appetite for mergers and acquisitions, with 39% planning to actively pursue deals in the coming year, particularly in the energy and life sciences industries. This approach of seeking expansion while maintaining flexibility, Deloitte explains, reflects selective, agile growth and indicates a trend toward cautious opportunism in the region.
Partners in knowledge
Deloitte’s engagement role as the APEC CEO Summit’s exclusive Knowledge Partner highlights its broader philosophy of ‘Together Makes Progress’ and builds on its long history of working with senior executives and policymakers around the world. For more than 180 years, the organization has provided audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services to global businesses, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 companies.
Its participation in the APEC CEO Summit reflects a commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, where it has over 110,000 professionals working across 23 geographical regions—a scale that enables Deloitte to bring both global perspective and local insight to business leaders. Through the APEC CEO Survey and its Summit partnership, Deloitte brings a data-driven perspective to the conversations shaping the region, supporting economies as they adapt to change and pursue new opportunities.
By blending quantitative research with cross-sector collaboration, Deloitte equips leaders with the intelligence they need to guide organizations—and regional economies—toward greater resilience, inclusivity, and growth.
Find out more about the Deloitte APEC CEO Survey 2025 here.