Boao: The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) released its 2026 report on Asian economic trends and integration progress, stating that Asia remains the leading driver of global growth. The report forecasts Asia's economic growth at 4.5 percent in 2026 and its share of global GDP is projected to continue increasing, rising from 49.2 percent in 2025 to 49.7 percent in 2026, based on the purchasing power parity (PPP) theory.
According to Thai News Agency, the report indicates that the foundations of trade integration in Asia continue to strengthen, citing data on intra-regional trade dependence, which increased slightly from 56.3 percent in 2023 to 57.2 percent in 2024, as major economies across the region increasingly prioritize trade relations with each other. China and ASEAN remain prominent as "pillars of stability" in the region.
The economies in the Asia-Pacific region are transitioning from fragmented integration within global value chains to a more shared regional integration, with many countries rising to higher levels of value chains with support from within the region.
The region remains the world's leading destination for foreign direct investment, recognized for its resilience, growth potential, and attractiveness to global investors, with China and ASEAN leading the way as the most appealing destinations.
In terms of technology, the report indicates that the global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) development is gradually shifting from Europe and the United States to Asia. Asian economies are rapidly progressing from followers to leaders in AI, leveraging their large digital populations, diverse application ecosystems, and coherent policy frameworks.
The Boao Summit for Asia, founded in 2001, is an international, non-governmental, and non-profit organization dedicated to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals. This year's summit, held from March 24-27, focused on the theme of "Building a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation."