Chinese Taipei Contributes USD1.5 Million to APEC’s First Healthcare Sub-Fund

Chinese Taipei has contributed USD1.5 million to establish APEC's first dedicated healthcare sub-fund, targeting the region's rapidly aging populations and widening gaps in access to care.

A memorandum of understanding formalizing the contribution was signed by Jonathan Chien-Yuan Sun, APEC Senior Official for Chinese Taipei, and Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, in Shanghai on the sidelines of the Second APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting.

Through the new sub-fund, APEC member economies will be able to implement projects across key patient-centered healthcare priorities, from strengthening integrated primary care and deploying digital health tools including telemedicine to promoting policy research on aging and chronic disease.

“This newly established Sub-fund for the Future of Healthcare responds to APEC’s growing emphasis on digital health,” said Sun. "It represents the first APEC sub-fund dedicated specifically to healthcare."

With many APEC economies facing rapidly aging societies and disparities in healthcare, the contribution will support the development of future-ready healthcare systems by deploying artificial intelligence (AI), other emerging technologies and innovative policies to improve accessibility, efficiency and equitable health access to all communities in the Asia-Pacific.

Building healthcare systems capable of serving the region's diverse and growing populations requires coordination across sectors. The sub-fund places public-private partnerships at its core, bringing together governments, industry, research institutions and civil society to drive healthcare innovation at scale.

“As the Asia-Pacific navigates profound demographic shifts that will reshape the region’s economy and workforce, building healthcare systems that help keep older people active and engaged in society is foundational to the resilience and inclusivity of APEC’s economic future,” said Pedrosa.

"Chinese Taipei's contribution establishes a dedicated mechanism for member economies to engage in policy dialogues and capacity building initiatives on healthcare to strengthen our members ability to address these challenges,” concluded Pedrosa.

APEC-funded projects play a vital role in translating the policy directions of APEC Economic Leaders and Ministers into practical actions that deliver tangible benefits to people and businesses across the region.

Since 2021, APEC has initiated more than 1,400 projects and initiatives across the region in various sectors. This dedicated sub-fund will help direct focus toward building healthcare systems that are ready for the future and fit for the people who depend on them.