73rd PAA Steering Committee and Working Group Meetings Convened in Hong Kong to Advance Secure and Intelligent Digital Trade Connectivity

Hong Kong SAR, China – 20 May 2026 — The 73rd PAA Steering Committee and Working Group Meetings were successfully held in Hong Kong from 18–20 May 2026, bringing together representatives from PAA member organizations across the Asia-Pacific, EU and Africa region to further strengthen collaboration on digital trade facilitation and cross-border supply chain connectivity.

In response to rapidly evolving global regulatory frameworks and emerging technologies, a special pre-meeting workshop was held on 17 May 2026. The session focused on new technology developments and evolving regulatory requirements from the European Union, with Working Group members engaging in in-depth discussions on the application of artificial intelligence in digital trade, as well as the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative and its implications for global supply chain transparency, compliance, and interoperability.

During the main meetings, members exchanged updates on ongoing initiatives and explored new opportunities to enhance interoperability, efficiency, and trust in global digital trade ecosystems. A key highlight of the discussions was the development of a federated AI-powered HS code classification service, which aims to support businesses in improving the accuracy, consistency, and efficiency of tariff classification processes across jurisdictions while preserving data sovereignty and confidentiality.

Members also discussed the continued advancement of the PAA digital trade platform, designed to facilitate trusted and seamless cross-border data exchange among trade stakeholders. The platform reflects PAA’s commitment to building a resilient and interoperable digital trade environment that supports secure document exchange, trade facilitation, and end-to-end supply chain visibility across the globe.

The meetings further highlighted PAA’s growing collaboration with major international and regional organizations, including APEC, the ASEAN Digital Trade Working Group (ASEAN DTWG), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN/ESCAP), and the World Customs Organization Private Sector Consultative Group (WCO PSCG). Through these partnerships, PAA continues to contribute practical industry expertise and public-private collaboration models to support regional digital trade integration, paperless trade facilitation, and trusted cross-border data connectivity.

In conjunction with the PAA meetings, the Global Digital Trade Symposium 2026 – “The Hong Kong Experience” was held on 19 May 2026. The symposium convened policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts to explore key themes shaping the future of global trade. Major discussions included “Compliance Meets Innovation: How Hong Kong Navigates Global Trade Challenges” and “Data Without Borders: Reshaping Hong Kong’s Trade Finance Landscape,” highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a leading hub for digital trade innovation and regulatory adaptation.

The meetings reaffirmed the strong commitment of PAA members to deepen global cooperation and accelerate the adoption of innovative digital solutions that support efficient, secure, and inclusive trade across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

The 74th PAA Steering Committee and Working Group Meetings are scheduled to be held in Malaysia from 2–4 November 2026.