Oct 30

Oct 30 APEC 2025 South Korea Summit (October 27 - November 2)

Introduction

Event Overview

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting is being held in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 31 to November 1, 2025, with related events extending from October 27 to November 2.

This marks the first time South Korea has hosted APEC in 20 years, having previously hosted in 2005.

The APEC CEO Summit, one of the most prestigious business gatherings, is taking place from October 28-31 at the Gyeongju Arts Center under the theme “Bridge, Business, Beyond”.

Main Theme and Key Agenda

The overarching theme is “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” with three key priorities.

Connect

Advancing trade and investment within the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening connectivity through physical, institutional, and people-to-people exchanges.

Innovate

Promoting digital innovation by narrowing the digital divide and fostering AI cooperation, leveraging South Korea’s position as a digital powerhouse.

Prosper

Pursuing sustainable and inclusive growth through collective responses to pressing global issues such as energy security, food security, and demographic shifts.

Specific policy priorities include digital economy integration, AI governance, cross-border data flows, carbon-free energy transitions, hydrogen and fuel cell standardization, financial inclusion, structural reform, and addressing the impacts of artificial intelligence on jobs and industries.

Participants and Expected Attendance

Approximately 20,000 people are expected in Gyeongju for the week-long gathering, including world leaders, government officials, CEOs of multinational corporations, and media representatives.

Key Political Leaders

United States President Donald Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney

Peruvian President José Jerí

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (first in-person APEC)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant; Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk will represent Russia.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is also skipping the summit due to the death of Thai Queen Mother Sirikit, with Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow attending instead.

Business Leaders

The APEC CEO Summit has attracted approximately 1,700 global business representatives—the largest gathering of APEC business leaders to date. Key attendees include.

Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia (AI chip giant)

Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services.

Simon Kahn, Chief Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific, Google.

Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup

Joaquin Duato, CEO of Johnson & Johnson.

Chey Tae-won, SK Group Chairman and Korea Chamber of Commerce Chair.

Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics.

Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group.

Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group.

Preparations Underway

South Korea formed the 2025 APEC Summit Host City Selection Committee in March 2024, reviewing applications from Gyeongju, Incheon, and Jeju Province before selecting Gyeongju in June 2024.

The Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center serves as the main conference hall.

On May 28, 2024, the government established a 33-member APEC Summit Preparation Committee comprising government ministries and economic organizations to coordinate preparations.

Logistical challenges have emerged due to Gyeongju’s status as a smaller historic city. Cruise liners have been rented as temporary accommodations, and costs have risen as foreign delegates and media secured lodging.

A recently constructed gala dinner hall was deemed unsuitable at the last moment, requiring alternative arrangements.

Summit Session Topics

The APEC CEO Summit features multiple thematic sessions across three days.

Wednesday (October 29)

Nine sessions covering AI, finance, culture industry, digital currency, and carbon neutrality. K-pop superstar RM of BTS will deliver a keynote emphasizing Korean cultural soft power.

Thursday (October 30)

Six sessions on supply chains, semiconductors, digital health, and hydrogen energy.[oananews]

Friday (October 31)

Five sessions on data centers, healthcare, and energy transition.

President Lee Jae Myung will deliver a special address on Korea’s vision for advanced industries and sustainable growth during the opening ceremony.

Global Significance of the summit

APEC 2025 provides a platform for leaders from the United States, China, Japan, and other major economies to address trade tensions, digital transformation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.

With global trade slowing and investment decisions being deferred due to uncertainty, this summit is seen as a critical opportunity to rebuild consensus on open trade and collaborative economic policies.

South Korea, as chair, is leveraging the summit to promote regional cooperation, especially in the realms of AI, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development.

Expected Outcomes

Declarations on trade and digital cooperation

A joint leaders’ statement is anticipated, focusing on strengthening open trade, digital inclusion, and regulatory alignment for AI and digital economies.

Clean energy and climate initiatives

The summit is expected to advance commitments to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and strengthen food supply chains, which are critical given disruptions from climate and conflict.

AI and digital transformation

South Korea is pushing for the “AI Highway” initiative, aiming to create a regional framework for responsible AI development and deployment, with a focus on closing the digital divide and empowering small businesses.

Inclusive growth and youth empowerment

South Korea has committed to supporting youth and next-generation initiatives, with new funding and policy frameworks to foster opportunity and resilience.

Addressing structural challenges

The summit is expected to result in concrete steps to reduce trade barriers, promote supply chain resilience, and reinforce multilateral cooperation amid escalating US-China tensions and rising protectionism.

No binding agreements, but strong policy signaling

While APEC summits rarely produce binding treaties, the tone and language of the leaders’ declaration will signal the region’s intent to push back against protectionism and double down on innovation and sustainable growth.

Predicted Impact

If successful, the summit could help stabilize the region’s growth outlook, which is currently projected to slow to 2.6% in 2025 due to trade tensions and policy uncertainty.

The summit’s outcomes will likely shape corporate investment, regulatory developments, and the broader direction of US-China economic relations, with implications for global supply chains, technology governance, and climate policy.

Conclusion

High-Stakes Diplomacy

The summit carries particular significance as a test of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s “pragmatic diplomacy” approach, as he has been in office less than five months.

The event is overshadowed by a high-stakes meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping scheduled for Thursday, with results expected to significantly impact the global economy.

South Korea is working to finalize a trade agreement with the United States involving $350 billion in U.S. investments, though the two countries remain “sharply divided” over how much should be provided as direct cash payments.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is hosting a business roundtable on October 29 with approximately 20 Korea-U.S. business leaders, including chairpersons of major Korean conglomerates, to foster a friendly atmosphere amid tariff negotiation difficulties.

South Korean officials have been coordinating with all 21 APEC member economies to issue a joint “Gyeongju Declaration” at the summit’s conclusion, working to avoid the failure to reach consensus that occurred in 2018 in Papua New Guinea due to U.S.-China discord.

The APEC 2025 Summit is a crucial moment for the Asia-Pacific to signal a collective shift toward inclusive, sustainable, and innovative growth in the face of global economic headwinds.

Antonio Bhardwaj

Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj, aka Amir, is a distinguished polymath whose intellectual pursuits span business, politics, theology, and psychology. As an INTJ personality type, he demonstrates an exceptional cognitive profile, with a Stanford-Binet IQ of 158 and a TalentEQ score in the 99th percentile, both validated through internationally recognized assessments.

With a career spanning several decades, Dr. Bhardwaj has emerged as a preeminent authority in military theory, specializing in cognitive and hybrid warfare—fields that emphasize the psychological and political dimensions of conflict.

His scholarly interests encompass global conspiracy theories, counterterrorism strategies, and in-depth historical analyses of both World Wars, which he skillfully applies to speculative scenarios regarding the potential emergence of World War III.

Employing analytical methodologies grounded in historical precedent and strategic frameworks, Dr. Bhardwaj conducts rigorous evaluations of contemporary military and political landscapes. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Washington.Media, where his incisive commentary elucidates the dynamics of the deep state within the Western bloc.

He is widely recognized as an expert on the historical evolution of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and contemporary Russia, as well as on the intricacies of Gulf politics. With four decades of reading and writing, Dr. Bhardwaj has refined his expertise across multiple disciplines.

Academically, Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj holds a Doctorate in Theological Studies with a specialization in psychology.

His foundational education in mechanical engineering is complemented by a Master’s degree in International Trade and an Executive MBA. Most recently, he completed a seven-month executive program in artificial intelligence, further enhancing his capacity to integrate emerging technologies into strategic paradigms.

Beyond academia, Dr. Bhardwaj has engaged in political activism, having campaigned for Congressional office. His involvement in global political issues underscores his commitment to advocacy, though he remains cognizant of the operational constraints inherent in political engagement.

Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj’s initiatives, including the نهضة (Nahda) project, draw upon his deep understanding of complex social dynamics to compassionately support vulnerable women and underprivileged children.

Through his work, he fosters awareness of their challenges. He empowers them to rise above adversity, while gently yet firmly dismantling oppressive patriarchal structures and creating spaces of dignity, safety, and hope for all.

On a personal level, Dr. Bhardwaj finds solace in observing butterflies, a practice that deepens his connection to nature. His photographic work captures serene forest landscapes and waterfalls, inviting others to share in his appreciation for the natural world. He cherishes quality time with his pet and reflects on the profound experience of raising his daughter as a dedicated single parent. Dr. Bhardwaj also writes introspective poetry, which he regards as a means of fulfilling personal aspirations.

His familial relationships inform his advocacy, with a focus on fostering environments that promote autonomy and freedom of choice for all. Dr. Bhardwaj’s profound respect for the interconnectedness of life serves as a guiding principle he strives to instill in his daughter, advocating for a holistic and compassionate worldview.

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