In November 2025, the city of Gyeongju, South Korea, hosted the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Amidst a backdrop of high global uncertainty, the host president, Lee Jae-myung, urged the 21 member economies to strengthen unity to overcome weakening trade and to harness the rise of artificial intelligence.
Under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,” the summit focused on transforming technological and demographic challenges into opportunities for inclusive growth.
President Lee highlighted that, since the forum’s inception, trade openness has allowed the region’s combined GDP to grow fivefold, reaffirming that cooperation remains the most reliable path toward prosperity.
The meeting was notable for its appeal to the “Hwabaek spirit,” a Korean tradition based on consensus to harmonize diverse ideas. The sessions concluded with key agreements on digital governance, investment facilitation, and supply chain resilience.
Through this gathering, APEC reaffirmed its commitment to the Putrajaya Vision 2040, leaving a legacy of a roadmap centered on inclusive innovation and sustainability as the pillars for Asia-Pacific prosperity.
Referencias:
President Lee Calls for Unity and Innovation as APEC Leaders Meet in Gyeongju | APEC. (01 November 2025). APEC. https://www.apec.org/press/news-releases/2025/president-lee-calls-for-unity-and-innovation-as-apec-leaders-meet-in-gyeongju