RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Asia’s expanding share of global output underscores its role as the world’s primary growth engine, according to the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), which recently released its annual economic outlook.

The report, as quoted by Antara, projects Asia’s economy to grow by 4.5 percent in 2026, with the region’s contribution to global GDP -- measured by purchasing power parity -- rising to 49.7 percent this year, up from 49.2 percent in 2025.

“Many believe the ‘Asian Century’ has arrived,” said BFA Secretary-General Zhang Jun at a press conference, noting that despite significant challenges, Asia’s economies remain resilient and continue to drive global trade, sustainable development, and investment flows.

Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental, non-profit international organization committed to advancing regional economic integration. Its annual conference, held March 24–27, 2026, in Hainan, China, carries the theme “Shaping the Future Together: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation".

The report highlights Asia’s position as the leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), with China and ASEAN emerging as the most attractive markets.

It also points to a shift in global artificial intelligence (AI) development from Europe and the United States toward Asia, driven by large digital populations, diverse application ecosystems, and coherent policy frameworks.

“Asia’s economies are evolving rapidly from AI followers to pioneers,” the report noted, while Deloitte China’s Lydia Chen emphasized that collaboration across industries, software, data, and policy will be key to strengthening the region’s AI value chain.

A companion report on sustainable development stressed Asia’s growing role in the global transition to clean energy, moving from the world’s largest traditional energy consumer to a leader in low-carbon innovation.

Trade integration is also deepening, with intra-Asian trade dependence rising from 56.3 percent in 2023 to 57.2 percent in 2024. The report said Asia-Pacific economies are shifting from individual participation in global value chains to collective regional integration, supported by digital infrastructure investment and robust domestic demand.

Experts at the forum described Asia as a "beacon of global growth". Roland Berger’s global managing director Denis Depoux highlighted China’s technological breakthroughs, while Sang Baichuan of the University of International Business and Economics said China’s openness is creating wider opportunities for Asia and beyond.

Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, former executive director of the APEC Secretariat, added that regional cooperation mechanisms are vital to ensuring openness and policy certainty, which in turn attract investment and support sustainable growth.

This year also marks “China Year” at APEC, with the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity”. China will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November. ***