Latest news with #APECSeniorOfficials'Meeting
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
APEC Officials Propel AI And Demographic Agendas
Issued by the APEC Senior Officials' Meeting Jeju, Republic of Korea, 14 May 2025 As global uncertainties mount and long-term challenges reshape the economic landscape, APEC economies gathered in Jeju this week to accelerate collaboration on connectivity, innovation and prosperity. At their two-day meeting, senior officials advanced region-wide efforts on emerging priorities such as artificial intelligence, demographic transformation and economic integration, building on recent ministerial meetings and stakeholder dialogues. Chairing the meeting, Ambassador Seongmee Yoon emphasized Korea's vision for a forward-looking and action-oriented APEC agenda this year. 'Korea's priorities this year reflect the urgent need to future-proof our economies,' Ambassador Yoon said. 'We are advancing innovation not just in technology, but in how we cooperate, how we trade and how we prepare our people for what's next. We are strengthening connections across borders, across sectors and between generations. And we are pursuing prosperity that benefits all the people in the region.' 'This meeting in Jeju is where we take those ideas and turn them into deliverables,' she added. 'As we move toward the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in Gyeongju, Korea is committed to driving meaningful, cooperative outcomes that benefit the whole APEC region.' The meeting opened with updates from key stakeholder groups, including the APEC Business Advisory Council, the Senior Finance Officials' Meeting, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and the APEC Study Centers Consortium. Senior officials reviewed outcomes from recent ministerial meetings on ocean sustainability and human resources development, where ministers underscored the need for resilient labor systems and sustainable marine economies. Ministerial meetings on education and trade will follow on 14 and 15–16 May, respectively. They also considered the next steps for Korea's flagship deliverables, including the proposed APEC AI Initiative, which outlines a region-wide approach to harnessing artificial intelligence for inclusive and sustainable growth. The initiative promotes a shared outlook, capacity building and investment in sustainable AI infrastructure. Additionally, Korea's proposed Collaborative Framework on Demographic Changes was discussed, aiming to help economies address the implications of declining fertility rate and aging populations. 'APEC's strength lies in its ability to bring economies together to tackle profound challenges without losing sight of practical outcomes,' said Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. 'In Jeju, we're seeing that in action; real collaboration on the future of artificial intelligence, on adapting to demographic transitions and on strengthening economic integration. These are not abstract goals. They're essential to building a region that is more competitive, more connected and more resilient.' The Committee on Trade and Investment reported progress on economic integration in the region, trade facilitation and the inclusive growth agenda. Discussions also covered the evolution of APEC's structural reform priorities, services competitiveness and the transition from informal to formal economies. Ambassador Yoon encouraged officials to continue building consensus and delivering tangible results ahead of upcoming sectoral ministerial meetings and APEC Economic Leaders' Week. 'Our work here lays the groundwork for impactful deliverables in Gyeongju,' she concluded. 'Let us move forward with clarity, urgency and a commitment to deliver on our vision.'
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Innovation And Collaboration Needed To Address Ocean Sustainability Challenges
Press Release – APEC News The ocean connects the Asia-Pacific region; it stands as a frontier for innovation and digital transformation, as well as a key resource for prosperity. Busan, Republic of Korea, 8 May 2025 In a significant moment for APEC's ongoing efforts to safeguard the ocean, Ambassador Yoon Seongmee, Chair of the 2025 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting, and Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions and greater regional collaboration to tackle critical ocean sustainability challenges. Addressing APEC's ocean and fisheries ministers at the 5th APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting held last week in Busan, Ambassador Yoon highlighted the ocean's central role in APEC's broader development agenda, emphasizing that it is not only a crucial resource but also a frontier for innovation. 'The ocean connects the Asia-Pacific region; it stands as a frontier for innovation and digital transformation, as well as a key resource for prosperity,' Ambassador Yoon said. 'Our collective action today will help define a sustainable and prosperous future, not only for our oceans but for all of APEC's economies.' Ambassador Yoon spotlighted how APEC has evolved to meet the challenges posed by climate change, technological advancements and demographic shifts, noting that ocean issues are increasingly tied to these larger global challenges. In this context, she also emphasized the importance of the APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting (AOMM). 'AOMM is the highest-level forum dedicated to cooperation on ocean and fisheries issues within APEC, and its discussions will form a vital component of the outcomes of APEC 2025.' Pedrosa echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the APEC economies are deeply interconnected through the Pacific Ocean, the world's largest body of water. 'We are connected by the Pacific Ocean, and its resources are vital to the economic and social well-being of our economies,' Pedrosa said. 'However, the ocean is facing profound challenges, and it is imperative that we continue to innovate and collaborate to secure its health and sustainability for future generations.' Pedrosa highlighted APEC's strategic roadmaps that guide collective action in addressing ocean-related issues, including the APEC Roadmap on Marine Debris, the Roadmap on Combatting IUU Fishing, and the Roadmap on Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture. 'These roadmaps provide clear frameworks for APEC economies to align their efforts, implement effective measures, and protect marine ecosystems,' he noted. 'They serve as a foundation for collaborative strategies to combat marine pollution, reduce illegal fishing and ensure the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries.' Pedrosa also emphasized how emerging technologies, such as data collection, remote sensing and traceability, will enhance APEC's capacity to monitor and manage marine resources. 'Innovation is crucial for the resilience of our oceans,' Pedrosa stated. 'By leveraging technology, we can improve our ability to forecast, manage and protect marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable economic activities like fisheries and aquaculture.' As APEC economies continue to address these challenges, both Ambassador Yoon and Pedrosa emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue and action. 'Today's discussions represent just the beginning,' Pedrosa concluded. 'Through continued cooperation and innovative solutions, we will ensure that the ocean remains a source of prosperity for all economies, while safeguarding its health for future generations.' Korea as the host of APEC 2025 will host a total of 13 ministerial and high-level meetings throughout the year. The next ministerial meetings on human resources development, education and trade will be held in Jeju from 12-16 May.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Innovation And Collaboration Needed To Address Ocean Sustainability Challenges
Issued by the APEC Secretariat Busan, Republic of Korea, 8 May 2025 In a significant moment for APEC's ongoing efforts to safeguard the ocean, Ambassador Yoon Seongmee, Chair of the 2025 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting, and Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions and greater regional collaboration to tackle critical ocean sustainability challenges. Addressing APEC's ocean and fisheries ministers at the 5th APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting held last week in Busan, Ambassador Yoon highlighted the ocean's central role in APEC's broader development agenda, emphasizing that it is not only a crucial resource but also a frontier for innovation. "The ocean connects the Asia-Pacific region; it stands as a frontier for innovation and digital transformation, as well as a key resource for prosperity," Ambassador Yoon said. "Our collective action today will help define a sustainable and prosperous future, not only for our oceans but for all of APEC's economies." Ambassador Yoon spotlighted how APEC has evolved to meet the challenges posed by climate change, technological advancements and demographic shifts, noting that ocean issues are increasingly tied to these larger global challenges. In this context, she also emphasized the importance of the APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting (AOMM). "AOMM is the highest-level forum dedicated to cooperation on ocean and fisheries issues within APEC, and its discussions will form a vital component of the outcomes of APEC 2025." Pedrosa echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the APEC economies are deeply interconnected through the Pacific Ocean, the world's largest body of water. "We are connected by the Pacific Ocean, and its resources are vital to the economic and social well-being of our economies," Pedrosa said. "However, the ocean is facing profound challenges, and it is imperative that we continue to innovate and collaborate to secure its health and sustainability for future generations." Pedrosa highlighted APEC's strategic roadmaps that guide collective action in addressing ocean-related issues, including the APEC Roadmap on Marine Debris, the Roadmap on Combatting IUU Fishing, and the Roadmap on Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture. "These roadmaps provide clear frameworks for APEC economies to align their efforts, implement effective measures, and protect marine ecosystems," he noted. "They serve as a foundation for collaborative strategies to combat marine pollution, reduce illegal fishing and ensure the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries." Pedrosa also emphasized how emerging technologies, such as data collection, remote sensing and traceability, will enhance APEC's capacity to monitor and manage marine resources. "Innovation is crucial for the resilience of our oceans," Pedrosa stated. "By leveraging technology, we can improve our ability to forecast, manage and protect marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable economic activities like fisheries and aquaculture." As APEC economies continue to address these challenges, both Ambassador Yoon and Pedrosa emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue and action. "Today's discussions represent just the beginning," Pedrosa concluded. "Through continued cooperation and innovative solutions, we will ensure that the ocean remains a source of prosperity for all economies, while safeguarding its health for future generations." Korea as the host of APEC 2025 will host a total of 13 ministerial and high-level meetings throughout the year. The next ministerial meetings on human resources development, education and trade will be held in Jeju from 12-16 May.
Korea Herald
09-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
S. Korea to host APEC 2025 with focus on AI, demographic shifts
APEC's 1st Senior Officials' Meeting brings 2,000 participants, including US, China, Russia, Taiwan GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — This year's APEC summit, hosted by South Korea, will place artificial intelligence and demographic shifts at the forefront of the agenda for discussion — topics that have never before taken the spotlight at the regional economic forum. South Korea's Ambassador Yoon Seong-mee, chair of the 2025 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting, on Sunday emphasized the urgency and significance in prioritizing cooperation on AI technologies by the 21 APEC economies and responses to population changes such as low birth rates and aging societies. "Especially, AI and demographic structure are topics that have never been addressed at APEC, while the previous APEC has covered a wide range of issues such as trade liberalization, labor and education," Yoon said in Korean when asked by The Korea Herald how the 2025 APEC summit would differentiate itself from previous iterations. Yoon made the remarks during a press conference following the first Senior Officials' Meeting in the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where the APEC summit will be held under the theme 'Building a Sustainable Tomorrow" from late October to early November, in Korea for the first time in 20 years. South Korea last hosted the APEC summit in Busan in 2005. 'There are no fields unrelated to AI. Therefore, AI is a critically important issue with a massive impact, influencing our future across all sectors worldwide. The same applies to the issue of demographic structure,' Yoon said. The ambassador explained that all APEC members will be affected by demographic changes in the long term, despite the varying speeds at which they encounter such challenges. "I believe that the fact of proactively selecting these globally significant issues, which require serious consideration on an international scale, and proactively introducing them into the APEC discussion framework already represents a major contribution on our part as host of the APEC summit," Yoon said. "The very act of putting such profound and thought-provoking agenda topics on the table is, in itself, a meaningful contribution." As agreed with member countries, APEC 2025 will have discussions on harnessing the vast potential of AI in a sustainable and inclusive manner as a key agenda. South Korea has also proposed specific cooperation initiatives and capacity-building programs aimed at transforming demographic challenges into opportunities, rather than crises. US, China, Russia, Taiwan attend The first meeting of senior officials marked the official beginning of the APEC-related schedule leading up to the summit and served as the very first opportunity to introduce Gyeongju to the official delegations of APEC members in advance, according to Yoon. The meeting drew around 2,000 participants, including representatives from 21 APEC member countries as well as the APEC Secretariat, according to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. The US APEC team, led by Ambassador Matt Murray, also attended the meeting. Yoon and Lee Ji-yoon, an APEC senior official as well as the deputy director general of international economic affairs at South Korea's Foreign Ministry, held bilateral meetings with delegations from Canada, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the US, among others, according to the Foreign Ministry. During the briefing, Eduardo Pedrosa, executive director of the APEC Secretariat, brushed off any worries when asked about whether concerns were raised over potential impacts of the political turbulence in South Korea for the summit. 'APEC meetings have been held under similarly changing political situations, but the APEC work has continued throughout the years. So, I think most stakeholders and experts are pretty confident that this work will go ahead,' Pedrosa said in English at the news conference. 'There is a very strong team." Pedrosa also pointed out that one of the issues brought up during this meeting was the "need to respond to new challenges that emerged from the evolving trade environment," reiterating, "We are in an evolving trade environment." Pedrosa, however, refrained from providing a direct answer when asked by The Korea Herald whether there were concerns about a shift toward protectionism, which contradicts APEC's vision of free and open trade in the Indo-Pacific region, as US President Donald Trump has imposed blanket tariffs, and whether the issue would be addressed at the APEC summit. 'We don't know how trade policy will change over the next months, but one thing I can say, as far as the current administration is concerned, is that President Trump was a very active supporter of the APEC Putrajaya Vision during his first term as president,' Pedrosa said. 'So I think that gives us a very good sign of how committed the current administration will be.'
