APEC Ministers Convene For First-Ever Digital And AI Ministerial Meeting
Incheon, Republic of Korea, 4 August 2025
Ministers responsible for telecommunications, information and communications technology (ICT) and digital policy from the 21 APEC member economies gathered in Incheon for the first-ever APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting, a milestone moment in the region's digital cooperation.
The meeting underscores the growing urgency for trusted, reliable and human-centered approaches to digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) that benefit all our people across the Asia-Pacific.
'We are now standing at the forefront of a monumental wave of transformation driven by AI and digital technologies,' said Kyunghoon Bae, Minister of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea and Chair of the meeting. 'How we respond to this massive 'coming wave' will shape the future for all of us.'
Under Korea's theme of APEC 2025, ' Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,' the meeting offered ministers a platform to chart a collaborative course for digital and AI policymaking.
Discussions focused on advancing meaningful digital connectivity, harnessing emerging technologies for public good and strengthening international cooperation to ensure AI systems are safe, broadly beneficial and trusted across borders.
Minister Bae underscored the meeting's role in shaping future cooperation across the region, calling it 'an opportunity to design the future of our collaboration that encompasses innovation, connectivity, and ecosystems based on the diversity and experiences of APEC member economies.'
The meeting builds on the forum's work under the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap, which guides cooperation in areas such as broadband access, digital trust, upskilling and AI governance.
'Because the future is digital,' said APEC Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa in his remarks to APEC ministers. 'AI will shape everything from healthcare to education, trade to public safety, and it is our responsibility as a region to stay ahead of these conversations – anticipating what our economies will need in five or ten years' time, and ensuring that innovation supports long-term growth.'
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to digital transformation as a driver of growth that benefits all under the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action.
The outcomes of the meeting will feed into Korea's proposed APEC AI Initiative, which aims to foster future-oriented innovation, build capacity across society and sectors, as well as promote investment in robust AI infrastructure to ensure that all segments of society benefit from this transformation.
The Ministerial is followed by the APEC Global Digital and AI Forum on 5 August, co-hosted by the Government of Korea and the World Bank, bringing together government leaders, innovators and researchers to translate policy commitments into practical action.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
10 hours ago
- Scoop
Modernizing Customs: Tackling Trade Bottlenecks And Digital Pressures
6 August 2025 Customs officials from across the Asia-Pacific convened in Incheon for the second meeting of the APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP), with a sharp focus on harnessing artificial intelligence and digital innovation to boost trade efficiency, resilience and security. The meeting, held in Incheon, last week, spotlighted APEC's ongoing efforts to streamline customs procedures and remove bottlenecks across borders, central to reducing trade costs and enabling small businesses to compete in global markets. 'In today's fast-changing environment, innovation is no longer optional, it is essential,' said Myeong-ku Lee, Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, in his welcoming remarks. 'Artificial intelligence can enable faster and more accurate customs clearance, but we must strengthen cross-border cooperation and trust to fully unlock its benefits.' Key discussions over the three-day meeting focused on strengthening risk management, leveraging data and emerging technologies and enhancing cooperation with the private sector. 'Trade and customs environments are becoming increasingly complex, particularly with the rise of e-commerce, carbon border measures and supply chain security concerns,' said Ju-yeon Lim, chair of the sub-committee. 'Customs authorities must now juggle traditional roles with mounting pressure to address sustainability, digitalization and resilience simultaneously.' Members reviewed progress on implementing the Framework for Supply Chain Connectivity and shared updates on digital trade facilitation projects, including the adoption of electronic certificates of origin, the use of single window systems and pilots involving artificial intelligence and blockchain. A highlight of the week was the APEC Customs-Business Dialogue, which brought together customs administrations and industry leaders for candid discussions on e-commerce, authorized economic operators (AEOs) and trusted trader programs. The dialogue underscored the importance of agile rules and digital tools to support fast-moving business models while managing risks at scale. Discussions extended to emerging concerns, including low-carbon logistics and environmental customs measures aligned with green trade objectives. Economies examined how customs can contribute to sustainability through digital documentation, carbon-aware protocols and eco-friendly process design. The meeting also featured a series of side events, including a Cross-Border E-Commerce Workshop, an International Origin Seminar and a dedicated AI Customs Exhibition showcasing Korea's pioneering applications in risk profiling and automated documentation. Commissioner Lee stressed the need for data-driven risk management, streamlined digital processes and international alignment to address growing complexities in cross-border trade, from e-commerce to supply chain security. 'Technology alone is not enough, we need trust, interoperability and shared standards,' he concluded, underscoring SCCP's central role in advancing collective solutions.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
APEC Ministers Convene For First-Ever Digital And AI Ministerial Meeting
Issued by the APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting Incheon, Republic of Korea, 4 August 2025 Ministers responsible for telecommunications, information and communications technology (ICT) and digital policy from the 21 APEC member economies gathered in Incheon for the first-ever APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting, a milestone moment in the region's digital cooperation. The meeting underscores the growing urgency for trusted, reliable and human-centered approaches to digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) that benefit all our people across the Asia-Pacific. 'We are now standing at the forefront of a monumental wave of transformation driven by AI and digital technologies,' said Kyunghoon Bae, Minister of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea and Chair of the meeting. 'How we respond to this massive 'coming wave' will shape the future for all of us.' Under Korea's theme of APEC 2025, ' Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,' the meeting offered ministers a platform to chart a collaborative course for digital and AI policymaking. Discussions focused on advancing meaningful digital connectivity, harnessing emerging technologies for public good and strengthening international cooperation to ensure AI systems are safe, broadly beneficial and trusted across borders. Minister Bae underscored the meeting's role in shaping future cooperation across the region, calling it 'an opportunity to design the future of our collaboration that encompasses innovation, connectivity, and ecosystems based on the diversity and experiences of APEC member economies.' The meeting builds on the forum's work under the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap, which guides cooperation in areas such as broadband access, digital trust, upskilling and AI governance. 'Because the future is digital,' said APEC Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa in his remarks to APEC ministers. 'AI will shape everything from healthcare to education, trade to public safety, and it is our responsibility as a region to stay ahead of these conversations – anticipating what our economies will need in five or ten years' time, and ensuring that innovation supports long-term growth.' Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to digital transformation as a driver of growth that benefits all under the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action. The outcomes of the meeting will feed into Korea's proposed APEC AI Initiative, which aims to foster future-oriented innovation, build capacity across society and sectors, as well as promote investment in robust AI infrastructure to ensure that all segments of society benefit from this transformation. The Ministerial is followed by the APEC Global Digital and AI Forum on 5 August, co-hosted by the Government of Korea and the World Bank, bringing together government leaders, innovators and researchers to translate policy commitments into practical action.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
APEC Economies Advance AI Standards For Trust And Innovation
Issued by the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance Incheon, Republic of Korea, 3 August 2025 As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes economies and societies across the Asia-Pacific, APEC is stepping up efforts to ensure this transformation is safe, inclusive and sustainable. More than 200 policymakers, technologists and standards experts convened in Incheon for the APEC AI Standards Conference to drive convergence in AI governance and technical alignment across the region. 'AI presents both enormous opportunities and complex challenges that no single economy can resolve alone,' said Dr Jin-seok Bae, Director of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), which hosted the conference. 'AI is rapidly transforming our industries and daily lives, but without common standards, we risk fragmentation and mistrust,' Dr Bae added. 'This conference is a chance for APEC economies to align efforts, exchange knowledge and support international cooperation to shape safe, inclusive and forward-looking AI governance.' The two-day conference offered hands-on training, shared best practices and brought in perspectives from global standards bodies, reinforcing that international cooperation is key to responsible AI development. Speaking at the opening session of the conference, Silvio Dulinski, Deputy Secretary General of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), highlighted the role of international standards in building trust, fairness and security in AI. He emphasized that standards offer scalable, consensus-driven tools for aligning regulation and ensuring diversity and inclusion in AI governance. Wael William Diab, Chair of the ISO and IEC's Joint Technical Committee on Artificial Intelligence underscored the importance of addressing both technical and societal dimensions of AI. Diab noted the importance of capacity building for domestic industries and regulators, highlighting that global AI standards are still evolving and economies that actively engage now can help shape the future. Participants discussed AI use cases across sectors and examined emerging frameworks to guide testing, conformity assessment and implementation and examined real-world applications of standards in areas such as ethics, human-AI interaction, risk management and environmental impact. 'Standardization is not just a technical process, it is a foundation for sustainable innovation and inclusive growth,' concluded Dr Kang Byung-Goo, Chair of the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance, which oversees the initiative. 'We hope that the workshop provided an opportunity for collaboration among APEC economies on AI standards. By working together, APEC economies can ensure AI systems are not only effective, but also aligned with our shared values.'
