The APEC Photo Contest 2026 Returns, Your Lens, Your Story
Issued by the APEC Secretariat
The 2026 contest welcomes photographs inspired by the theme or one of APEC China’s three priorities of the year:
- Openness, which captures the connections that link people, communities and economies across borders;
- Innovation, which reveals the ideas and creative solutions shaping the future;
- Cooperation, which celebrates working together and collective action throughout the region.
Participants may submit up to three photographs taken with a professional camera, digital camera or mobile phone. Only minor digital editing is allowed. The contest is open to citizens or residents of APEC’s 21 member economies.
Submissions may capture how these priorities improve lives, strengthen businesses and lift communities across the Asia-Pacific through the perspective of those experiencing them every day.
“Every photograph tells a story about how people and communities are creating opportunity across the Asia-Pacific,” said Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat.
“Together, these photographs stories offer a powerful perspective on what prosperity means across our region and help tell the human stories behind APEC’s work.”
Photos may be submitted through an online form before the deadline of 24 August 2026 at 23:59 Singapore time.
An international panel of judges will evaluate entries based on their interpretation of APEC’s 2026 theme and priorities, composition and quality, as well as creativity and message.
The winner of the judges’ prize will receive SGD2,500, while the second and third place winners will receive SGD2,000 and SGD1,500, respectively.
The top 10 finalists will be revealed in early October, after which the public can vote for their favorite photograph via the official platform on apec.org. The image receiving the most votes will win the Popular Choice Award of SGD1,000.
In addition, participants may also share their entries through Instagram to stand a chance to win the Influencer Award worth SGD 1,000, which recognizes the entry generating the highest engagement during the contest period.
The winners will be announced during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Shenzhen, China in November.
Learn more about the competition and submit your entry here.
