President Lee Calls for Unity and Innovation as APEC Leaders Meet in Gyeongju
Amid profound shifts in the global economy and geopolitical landscape, economic leaders from the 21 APEC member economies convene on Friday in Gyeongju, to chart a collective path toward a more connected, innovative and prosperous Asia-Pacific.
Chaired by the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung, the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting marks a pivotal moment as economies navigate rapid technological transformation and mounting global uncertainty.
“The free trade system is experiencing strong turbulence, global economic uncertainty is deepening, and momentum for trade and investment is weakening,” President Lee said. “The technological revolution represented by artificial intelligence brings both unprecedented challenges and unprecedented opportunities.”
In his opening remarks, President Lee highlighted Korea’s long-standing contribution to APEC’s journey. He noted that throughout APEC’s history, the Republic of Korea has played an active role in advancing multilateral cooperation and regional growth.
“Whenever APEC has achieved major milestones and set an example for multilateral cooperation, the Republic of Korea has been at the forefront of that journey,” he said, citing Korea’s contributions to the 1991 Seoul Declaration and the 2005 Busan Roadmap.
President Lee emphasized that APEC’s success story is a testament to the power of openness and cooperation across the Asia-Pacific. “Since APEC’s founding, the combined GDP of its members has grown fivefold, and trade volume has increased tenfold,” he said. “The more we connected and opened to one another, the further APEC members advanced on the path to shared prosperity.”
President Lee underscored that despite current global headwinds, APEC remains a vital platform for dialogue, trust and collective progress.
“The path ahead is not simple, but I believe that within APEC’s history we can find the answers to overcome today’s difficulties,” President Lee said. “Cooperation and solidarity are the surest way forward toward a better future.”
The 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting is being held under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow : Connect, Innovate, Prosper” reflecting the forum’s commitment to realizing the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and ensuring that technological and demographic transitions translate into inclusive growth.
President Lee also invoked the Hwabaek spirit, a centuries-old Silla tradition of consensus and dialogue as a model for APEC’s ongoing deliberations.
“The Hwabaek spirit does not demand uniform thinking. It seeks harmony and progress by bringing together diverse voices to create a symphony of ideas,” he said. “Here in Gyeongju, an ancient city that prospered through harmony and unity, I hope we will find the inspiration and courage to leap together into the future.”
The two-day meeting continues through Saturday, with discussions expected to center on trade and investment, AI and digital cooperation, demographic changes and strategies for building a future-ready Asia-Pacific.
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