Opening Plenary Session of the First Meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC I) 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia

Recently, President of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and President of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Viet Nam, Associate Professor Dr. Ho Sy Hung attended the First Meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC I) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

This was the first ABAC meeting in 2026 and also the first ABAC event that VCCI President Ho Sy Hung officially attended in his capacity as ABAC 2026 Co-Chair. This demonstrates the proactiveness and active engagement of VCCI in particular and the Vietnamese business community in general in the APEC economic cooperation mechanism.

At the Opening Plenary Session of ABAC I 2026, attended by ABAC members, APEC Senior Officials, representatives of the ABAC International Secretariat and relevant agencies of host country Indonesia, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung fully participated in key discussion contents, together with the ABAC Council to exchange views and agree on major directions for the ABAC work programme in 2026.

ABAC Viet Nam Chair, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung and delegates attending ABAC I in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Opening Plenary Session focused on assessing the context and prospects of the APEC regional economy in the new phase; reviewing reports on ABAC’s 2025 activities and policy recommendations; and discussing and agreeing on the theme, key priorities and specific implementation plans of ABAC in 2026. This serves as an important foundation for ABAC to continue promoting its role as a policy advisory channel of the business community, contributing practical voices to the APEC economic cooperation process.

Specifically, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto emphasised the central role of the business community in promoting regional economic growth in an inclusive, sustainable and innovation-driven manner, while highly appreciating ABAC’s role in connecting the public and private sectors and providing practical policy recommendations to APEC.

These assessments further highlight the role and responsibility of ABAC members, including VCCI and the Vietnamese business community, in shaping regional cooperation priorities.

ABAC Viet Nam Chair, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung is a new ABAC member and ABAC 2026 Co-Chair

At this meeting, ABAC 2026 Chair Li Fanrong officially introduced VCCI President Ho Sy Hung as a new ABAC member and ABAC 2026 Co-Chair. Taking on this role not only affirms VCCI’s position within the APEC business community but also demonstrates Viet Nam’s commitment to actively participating and closely coordinating with member economies to effectively contribute to ABAC and APEC priorities in 2026 and beyond.

ABAC Viet Nam Chair, ABAC 2026 Co-Chair, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung together with VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh and ABAC Viet Nam members at ABAC I

Within the framework of ABAC I, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung also attended the Opening Chairs’ Meeting in the morning of the same day.

In this meeting, in his capacity as ABAC 2026 Co-Chair, the VCCI President worked with other ABAC Chairs to review the 2026 work programme; listened to activity plans of working groups; and discussed and agreed on scenarios and key contents of the ABAC – Senior Officials’ Meeting (ABAC – SOM Dialogue) planned for the year. These contents are of key significance, contributing to ensuring the continuity, effectiveness and substance of ABAC activities in 2026.

On the sidelines of the official sessions, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung, together with VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh and ABAC Viet Nam members, held numerous bilateral meetings and exchanges with important partners.

ABAC 2026 Co-Chair, ABAC Viet Nam Chair, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung attends a meeting with ABAC 2026 Chair and ABAC working group Chairs

Discussions with leaders of ABAC China, the ABAC 2026 Executive Board and the ABAC International Secretariat focused on coordinating the implementation of the ABAC 2026 programme, as well as orientations for cooperation in the preparation phase for subsequent years, particularly towards APEC Viet Nam 2027.

ABAC Viet Nam Chair, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung together with VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh and ABAC Viet Nam members work with Mr. Anindya Novyan Bakrie, ABAC Indonesia Chair

Notably, the VCCI President worked with Mr. Anindya Novyan Bakrie, ABAC Indonesia Chair and President of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The two sides held in-depth exchanges on bilateral cooperation potential, especially in sectors where both economies have strengths and complementarities such as sustainable development, clean energy, agriculture and tourism.

The two Chairs also agreed to strengthen coordination in organising programmes and cooperation events that bring practical benefits to the business communities of both countries; discussed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations, establishing a bilateral business support working group, and organising a major business event in Hanoi in the near future.

Authorised by the VCCI President, the VCCI Vice President co-chairs ABAC I sessions

Within the framework of the Meeting, VCCI Chairman Ho Sy Hung also held working sessions with representatives of ABAC United States, ABAC New Zealand and several other ABAC members to prepare for APEC Viet Nam. Under authorisation from the VCCI President, VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh and ABAC Viet Nam members continued to co-chair ABAC sessions from February 7 to February 9.

VCCI Vice President presents a commemorative gift to Mr. Brett O’Riley, ABAC New Zealand

It can be affirmed that ABAC I 2026 is an important milestone, clearly demonstrating the increasingly proactive and responsible role of VCCI as well as the Vietnamese business community within the APEC – ABAC cooperation framework.

The contributions and activities of VCCI President Ho Sy Hung, VCCI Vice President Nguyen Quang Vinh and ABAC Viet Nam members at this meeting not only help shape the ABAC work programme for 2026 but also create an important foundation for Viet Nam’s activities, especially preparations for APEC Viet Nam 2027.