Trade, Digital and Sustainability in Focus as Senior Officials Call for Ambition Ahead of Leaders’ Week
Issued by the APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting
Officials reviewed progress on this year’s APEC priorities — Connect, Innovate, Prosper — alongside Korea’s 2025 host year initiatives on addressing demographic change and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology over the last three weeks. They also discussed strategies for digital economy integration, public health cooperation, and strengthening APEC’s role as an incubator of practical, consensus-driven solutions.
“2025 is a big year of reviews and roadmaps, and with only less than 80 days until we meet again in Gyeongju, the clock is ticking,” said Ambassador Yoon Seong-mee, Chair of the 2025 APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting.
Ambassador Yoon noted that there has been eight ministerial meetings and high-level dialogue being held throughout the year with around six more upcoming within the next two months including on culture and creative indutries, energy, small and medium enterprises, health and the economy, finance and structural reform.
“Despite differences and occasional difficulties, it is encouraging that we have been able to remain ambitious, innovative, and reach consensus. This is a testament to APEC’s relevance and value as an incubator of ideas — one that bridges diverging views and fosters convergence.”
The meeting also heard a presentation from the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), which shared its recommendations on trade, investment, sustainability, and digital transformation. Korea also provided an update on preparations for the APEC CEO Summit 2025, which will bring together political and business leaders in Gyeongju to discuss strategies for inclusive growth and regional resilience.
“The work completed in Incheon has brought us closer to consensus on some of the region’s most pressing economic issues,” said Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. “Through open dialogue, cross-fora collaboration, and public–private engagement, APEC can translate its diversity into a shared capacity to act, ensuring that agreements reached here will benefit businesses, workers, and communities across the region.”
He emphasized the need for tangible outcomes and the effort to strengthen collaboration between APEC and the APEC Study Centers Consortium, particularly in fostering policy-relevant research and academic exchanges that support APEC’s priorities.
“This meeting has reaffirmed our shared commitment to a future that is open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful,” Ambassador Yoon added. “We have a lot to do in a short time, and I encourage everyone to continue to be ambitious and innovative in our work, and work together to find common ground.”
