RM, leader of the K-pop group BTS, delivers a speech on “Cultural Industries and K-Culture Soft Power in the APEC Region” at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held at the Gyeongju Arts Center in North Gyeongsang Province on October 29. (Yonhap)
GYEONGJU, South Korea, Oct. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, a business-centric gathering running parallel to the annual APEC forum’s leader’s summit, officially commenced Wednesday to explore pivotal issues, ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) to digital transformation.
The summit, hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), was under way through Friday under the official theme “Bridge, Business, Beyond,” opening an international stage for deep-dive discussions on pending global issues and exploration of cooperation opportunities for global business tycoons.
Key attendees of the event include AI chip giant Nvidia’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman, Google’s Chief Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific Simon Kahn, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser and Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato.
From Korea, Chey Tae-won, SK Group chief and the KCCI chair; Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong; Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung; and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo are scheduled to make appearances.
The opening ceremony of the CEO summit, held in the South Korean host city of Gyeongju, some 275 kilometers southeast of Seoul, featured keynote addresses by leaders of APEC member economies, including U.S. President Donald Trump and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also delivered a special address on Korea’s vision for advanced industries and sustainable growth.
“As the APEC chair, the Republic of Korea aims to lead the path of multilateral cooperation to confront these crises,” Lee said, emphasizing the importance of supply chain cooperation. The Republic of Korea is South Korea’s official name.
The KCCI’s Chey said in his opening remarks that this year’s APEC summit will provide a platform to discuss solutions to global challenges, including the supply chain shift, AI competition, digital transformation and the climate crisis.
Wednesday’s sessions delved into issues involving the AI-driven economy, digital transformation and enhanced connectivity among APEC members.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held at the Gyeongju Arts Center in North Gyeongsang Province on October 29. (Yonhap)
The KCCI said this year’s summit marks the largest APEC business gathering ever, with the participation of some 1,700 global business figures.
“We hope this summit will serve as a turning point for the AI and advanced industries, fostering exchanges of experience and technologies between different countries,” said Park Il-jun, executive vice chairman of the KCCI.
On Thursday, six sessions on supply chains, semiconductors, digital health and hydrogen are scheduled, including one on the global economic outlook, led by the International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva.
On Friday, five sessions, including those related to data centers, health care and the energy transition, are scheduled, with Nvidia’s Huang set to wrap up the three-day event with his special speech on the outlook of the AI industry.
The KCCI estimated that this year’s APEC summit would generate an economic value of 7.4 trillion won ($5.14 billion) and help create 22,000 jobs.
(Yonhap)
