APCYS 5.0 Is Here: Hangzhou Sets the Stage for Youth and Cooperation

From 1 to 4 September 2026, the Asia-Pacific will witness a powerful convergence of ideas, innovation, and youth leadership as the Asia Pacific Cooperative Youth Summit, APCYS 5.0, unfolds in Hangzhou, China. Organised by the International Cooperative Alliance – Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP), in collaboration with the ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation and the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC), the summit places young cooperators at the centre of one of the most urgent global conversations, the future of ethical AI and digital economies.

Built around the theme, Future-Ready Cooperatives: Youth Shaping Ethical AI and Digital Economies, the summit aims to move beyond dialogue and into action. It brings together emerging leaders, innovators, and young changemakers from across the region to co-create solutions rooted in cooperative values.

What makes APCYS 5.0 particularly compelling is its design. Rather than a conventional conference, it offers an immersive, multi-layered experience. Participants will engage in expert-led plenaries, hands-on workshops, and policy hack dialogues focused on designing ethical AI frameworks. Sessions such as the Policy Hack Dialogue and capacity-building workshops are intended to bridge the gap between ideas and implementation, equipping youth with both technical understanding and cooperative perspectives.

At the heart of the programme lies the Coop Pitch Competition, a platform for young innovators to present cooperative solutions tailored to the digital future. From startup ideas to AI-driven innovations, participants will receive mentorship, showcase their work, and compete for recognition and partnerships. The emphasis is clear, turning ideas into impact.

The summit also recognises that collaboration is built as much through conversation as through content. Youth storytelling sessions, open mic formats, and networking opportunities are woven into the agenda, creating space for shared experiences and collective learning. Field visits to cooperative enterprises further ground these discussions in real-world practice, connecting digital ambition with cooperative realities on the ground.

The choice of Hangzhou as the host city adds another layer of relevance. Known for its blend of cultural heritage and cutting-edge technological development, Hangzhou offers an ideal backdrop for exploring the intersection of tradition and innovation. As a global hub for digital economies and emerging technologies, it mirrors the very transition the summit seeks to navigate.

APCYS 5.0 is more than a regional gathering. It is a signal of intent from the cooperative movement, to position youth not just as participants, but as architects of a digital future that is inclusive, ethical, and grounded in shared values. With support from the ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA) Phase 2, the summit reinforces a growing recognition that cooperative approaches can play a defining role in shaping technology for social good.

As preparations build, one thing is clear, the future of cooperation in the digital age will not be inherited, it will be designed. And in Hangzhou this September, young cooperators will begin that work together.

Registrations are now open!
Visit the official event website for more details and register now!