Jakarta, May 16 -- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies said sustainable growth cannot be achieved without women's equal participation in economic activity, urging stronger policies to expand opportunities for women across the region.

"The international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women," Shen Yiqin said at APEC's 2026 High-Level Policy Dialogue on Women and the Economy in Shanghai on Friday.

According to an APEC statement released Saturday, Shen said women's empowerment faced growing challenges amid global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

She outlined several areas for collective action among APEC economies to strengthen women's development and economic participation in the Asia-...