KOREA

Writer. Kim Da Un

APEC, or Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to foster a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific community by promoting regional economic integration. APEC comprises 21 members: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Republic of the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States of America and Viet Nam. APEC has adopted the “Putrajaya Vision 2040,” a forward-looking agenda built around three key drivers: trade and investment, innovation and the digital economy, and inclusive and sustainable growth, with the goal of realizing this vision by 2040. As the world’s largest regional cooperation body, APEC represents approximately 37% of the world’s population, 61% of global GDP and 49% of world trade, and thus plays a central role in the global economic order.

As this year’s APEC host economy, Korea will conduct a mid-term review of the implementation of the Putrajaya Vision and present a strategic direction for APEC moving forward. To help realize APEC’s long-term goals, Korea has chosen the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper” for 2025. The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) is scheduled to take place in the historic city of Gyeongju from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2025. In the lead-up to the Leaders’ meeting scheduled for this fall, Korea has already convened a series of ministerial and working-group meetings, with additional ones scheduled to be conducted. The outcomes of these discussions will be reflected in the Joint Declaration to be considered by the Economic Leaders of APEC and will also shape future initiatives led by Korea.

This year, Korea will host the “APEC 2025 High-Level Dialogue On Cultural And Creative Industries,” marking the forum’s first-ever high-level meeting dedicated to this sector. Ministers and senior representatives from APEC member economies will convene in Gyeongju from Aug. 26 to 28, 2025, to discuss key agenda items under the theme, “CCIs: New Horizons for Prosperity.” The Dialogue will feature three sessions, each aligned with the overarching priorities of APEC 2025 Korea, in the following order: “Connect: CCIs as a New Catalyst for Economic Cooperation within APEC,” “Innovate: Developments in CCIs Driven by Digital and AI Innovation” and “Prosper: Advancing a Harmonious APEC Community through CCIs.” Participants will share insights and practices on topics such as the impact of the cultural and creative industries on economic development, the integration of AI in CCIs, the development of AI-generated vocal technologies, AI-based film production and more.

The APEC 2025 High-Level Dialogue On Cultural And Creative Industries will serve as a valuable opportunity to broaden APEC’s agenda beyond its existing focus on economics and technology. It is hoped that the gathering will help introduce a new paradigm that bridges the economy and diplomacy through culture, laying the groundwork for shared prosperity within APEC. This initiative could not only enhance Korea’s standing as an advanced economy with strong cultural capacities, but also promote greater exchange of cultural policies and personnel among economies in the region. Furthermore, this Dialogue will contribute to exploring longterm development strategies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Approximately 120 to 150 participants are expected to attend this inaugural forum, including high-level representatives from APEC’s 21 member economies, official observers, as well as artists and business leaders from across the region.