The Asia-Pacific region generates approximately 60% of the world’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions , which represents a challenge for the 21 economies that make up the  Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum , in a global context marked by climate urgency and the reconfiguration of supply chains, where more sustainable logistics are even being promoted to minimize environmental risks.

This was stated by Francisco Suárez Hernández, chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Mexico, who emphasized that ABAC promotes an agenda that articulates several key areas, including sustainable manufacturing, product design, the circular economy, renewable energy, and supply chain optimization . This comprehensive approach recognizes that decarbonization does not depend on a single link, but rather on the coordination of the entire logistics network.

In this transition, technology plays a crucial role. Artificial intelligence (AI) -based tools enable route optimization, reduced energy consumption, and improved logistics planning. This comprehensive approach also involves investing in commercial and logistical infrastructure.

In a sector where 20% of emissions come from transportation – with an average annual growth rate of 1.7% over the last three decades, according to data from the International Energy Agency – Suárez indicated that there is a group working hand in hand with ABAC and APEC on transportation related to Zero Cargo Transportation , where there is a commitment to accelerate the establishment of a greener free trade framework “to ensure a more stable, resilient supply chain.”

In this context, Mexico has strategic advantages. Its geographic location, proximity to North America, and its potential in renewable energy—particularly solar and wind—position it as a key player in becoming a sustainable logistics hub and an attractive destination for investments linked to the digital economy .

“It’s important that all technology and AI companies that have emissions reduction commitments see us as a green zone for investment. That’s why I think a sustainable digital economy could be an interesting concept, one that supports AI across all sectors and the entire supply chain to lower emissions, where transportation and AI will play a very important role in making programming much smarter, in how you can optimize money and time throughout your entire supply chain,” he emphasized.

Fleet renewal is presented as part of the solutions. Some companies have begun transitioning to electromobility in freight transport, even, Suárez specified, with tractor-trailers manufactured in Mexico, which, in addition to an innovative design, have intelligent and preventative technology, as well as features to reduce emissions. This is important in a country where fleets have an average age of 19 years, according to the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) , which reinforces the need to accelerate their renewal and modernization, he noted.

However, the path to sustainable logistics also involves regulatory challenges. The need for clear, consistent regulatory frameworks that keep pace with the speed of technological innovation is one of the sector’s main demands.

In this regard, ABAC has outlined a set of priority actions aimed at revitalizing growth and strengthening the foundations of regional economic cooperation. These include investment in trade and logistics infrastructure , and reducing barriers to maritime and air transport, including expanding regional connectivity and access to secondary cities to support mobility, trade, and investment. Furthermore, ABAC seeks to strengthen the connectivity and resilience of supply chains by addressing vulnerabilities, ensuring responsible mineral sourcing, facilitating legitimate trade, and enhancing transparency and sustainability.

Circular economy, an opportunity to generate value

In the realm of the circular economy, the approach shifts paradigm: waste becomes input, and business models evolve toward reuse, recycling, and redesign schemes. More than a cost, Suárez emphasized, this represents an opportunity, a long-term investment to generate economic, social, and environmental value .

The director of Public Affairs and Strategic Relations at Fomento Económico Mexicano (FEMSA) also  considered that collaboration between the public and private sectors can coexist in this area.

“The important thing to emphasize here is that ABAC represents the private sector and APEC the public sector. Therefore, APEC is doing work on connectivity and mapping all the trends and opportunities in emerging markets,” he stated.

The goal of this joint effort is to reduce emissions and make supply chains more efficient , which translates into a window of opportunity for the Asia-Pacific region.

Looking ahead to 2028, when Mexico will host APEC, the country has the opportunity to solidify its position as a global leader in sustainable logistics innovation. Building this “green bridge” involves not only infrastructure and technology, but also a profound transformation in how supply chains are currently conceived.

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Mexico’s entry into the  Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 1993 marked a new chapter for the country’s logistics, resulting in a port and economic reconfiguration by putting Mexico’s diplomatic and commercial relations with the nations of that region on the map.

The most important shift was not only the formal incorporation, but the fact that Mexico began to steer towards the countries of that economic bloc, which triggered a transformation in the way logistics chains were organized in the Pacific .

“Since we joined the Asia-Pacific framework in 1993, but especially since we turned our attention to Asia-Pacific, there has been a reconfiguration of logistics in the Pacific,” emphasized Sergio Ley, a full member of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) .

To put this shift into perspective, Ley shared that in the 1990s and early 2000s, the most important entry point for Asian products in Mexico was Ciudad Juárez.

“Which port received the most imports from Asia? I could tell you it was Manzanillo or any Pacific port, but no, the port that received the most goods from Asia was Ciudad Juárez,” the specialist pointed out in an interview with T21.

In the 1990s, Mexican logistics was characterized by a growing demand for services, driven by the then North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) , which came into effect in 1994, and cross-border trade. However, although the logistics infrastructure had improved—especially with road construction—it was still insufficient.

Ley recalled that from a logistical point of view,  the ships that came from Asia did not touch any Mexican port or did so sporadically , “so, we had to use the one in Long Beach, mostly, but also other North American ports, in addition to the train.”

With Mexico’s integration into the Asia-Pacific framework and the opening of embassies in the region, a reconfiguration of the entire area’s logistics network was spurred . “Now, we receive a significant number of ships in Mexican ports such as Lázaro Cárdenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, and also, to some extent, in Ensenada.”

At the same time, Baja California consolidated its position as a strategic manufacturing hub . In cities like Tijuana and Mexicali, raw materials from Asia were assembled and subsequently exported to the United States and other regions, Ley commented.

Currently, the state has a strong export and manufacturing focus.  The maquiladora sector reached record exports in 2025, with 390,972.9 million pesos (MXN) , representing a 14.7% increase compared to 2024, according to figures from the  National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) .

For Sergio Ley, the country’s logistical reconfiguration that began with Mexico’s integration into APEC will continue despite certain frictions in trade with the Asian region, “but I believe that this will be to some extent temporary because it is impossible for us to stop looking towards that side of the world ,” he explained.

It is worth remembering that Mexico implemented a series of diverse actions, such as the General Import and Export Tax Law (LIGIE) , which came into effect in January of this year, to collect tariffs on 1,463 categories of goods and services imported from nations with which the country does not have a trade agreement, including China, India, Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea.

One of the aspects Ley considered for further progress in the logistical integration of Mexico and APEC is that “ the world’s economic center of gravity has already shifted from the Atlantic to the Pacific . There is infinitely more business moving in the Pacific than in the Atlantic at this time,” he emphasized.

The 21 economies of the Asia-Pacific region that make up APEC represent approximately 60% of global GDP and concentrate about 50% of global trade, making it a commercially dynamic bloc.

Thus, the Asia-Pacific logistics reconfiguration is not merely an operational adjustment, but a profound redesign of global trade routes. By repositioning itself along this axis, Mexico is not only redefining its logistics, but also its role in the global economy .

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cutive Director of the APEC Secretariat, launched a slogan that shows concern for supply chains.

“In these times of economic volatility, it would be interesting for those working in supply chains to tell us what they are facing , how they are coping with such rapidly changing trade policies,” he emphasized, referring to current geopolitical and trade disruptions, such as the conflict in the Middle East and the imposition of tariffs.

He noted that every day we can see how uncertain trade flows are and how they impact supply chains , even the most resilient ones, and with that, “the balance of diversification, the focus on the portfolio and the consideration of the essential products we need.”

In economic matters, the expert identified areas of opportunity that can be addressed to strengthen the APEC bloc. In this regard, he stated that it is necessary to implement structural reforms that facilitate trade and help create a fair business environment.

For his part, Carlos Kuriyama, director of the Policy Support Unit at the APEC Secretariat, highlighted the benefits of hosting APEC from the perspective of a developing economy .

Along those lines, he explained that APEC creates a positive environment for Mexico , after a long time of not hosting this event (2002), so hosting this summit represents an opportunity to strengthen the country’s presence in discussions on investment, digital trade and energy transition.

He believed that Mexico’s recent participation as host allowed it to strengthen and expand its relationship with various Asian nations. “Mexico hosting APEC puts the country on the economic radar, and it will also be positive publicity,” he asserted.

APEC has 37% of the world’s population and the 21 members of this economic bloc represent approximately 44% of global trade and 54% of world GDP, according to the Ministry of Economy .

Kuriyama indicated that APEC promotes economic integration and openness , which helps to build a development strategy, trade diversification and supply chains.

“I believe that APEC Mexico 2028 is a very good opportunity to promote Mexico’s presence in Asian countries. Mexico could be a kind of buffer zone between Asia and the United States. This is a great opportunity, and it’s also a great opportunity to diversify,” he concluded.

The panel made it clear that Mexico should take advantage of APEC’s economic dynamism ; and the exposure it will have in 2028 will be an advantage to expand its relationship with the other 20 economies that make up this bloc to strengthen foreign investment and cooperation in times where uncertainty prevails.

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El cargo APEC Summit 2028: Mexico and the opportunity to strengthen Asia-Pacific supply chains apareció primero en T21.