EXECUTIVE SUMMARY From June to August 2025, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) conducted its annual expert opinion survey, gathering responses from over 500 leaders from government, business, academia, civil society, and media across 24 economies. The results outline their views on different topics ranging from the future economic outlooks, top risks to growth, and top priorities that APEC leaders must urgently address. Chapter 1 reveals that in the next few years, more than half of respondents expect subdued growth for the global economy. Despite uncertainty in the international trading environment, respondents hold a balanced outlook for growth for their economies and the Asia-Pacific region. “Increased protectionism and trade wars” emerges as the No. 1 risk to growth...