Setting the stage in Gyeongju
The 2025 APEC Summit — officially the Leaders’ Week of the Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum — took place from October 31 to November 1 in Gyeongju, South Korea. As host, South Korea set the overarching theme as “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” with the priorities of Connect, Innovate, Prosper.
Themes and priorities: trade, tech and inclusion
With the world facing inflation, fractured supply-chains, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and demographic headwinds, the summit emphasised:
- Digital & AI engagement — including how economies harness innovation.
- Sustainability and resilience — ensuring growth can withstand shocks.
- Inclusive growth and connectivity — especially across smaller economies and ensuring no one is left behind.
At the opening session, South Korean President Lee Jae‑Myung called for greater cooperation and solidarity, underscoring the summit’s diplomatic as well as economic ambitions.
High-stakes geopolitics meets economics
While trade and technology discussions dominated, the summit also became a stage for high-stakes diplomacy. The anticipated face-to-face between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping drew particular attention, reflecting the wider U.S.–China contest.
Meanwhile, South Korea ramped up security: around 18,500 personnel, anti-drone jammers and other measures were deployed in Gyeongju ahead of the summit.
Key outcomes and symbolism
- Member economies reaffirmed commitment to multilateral trade frameworks — China’s President Xi reiterated support for “protecting an open trading system”.
- The summit advanced discussion on digital transformation, sustainability initiatives and future-oriented growth strategies — rather than major new binding trade deals.
- South Korea used its hosting role to boost its international standing: combining cultural soft-power (such as a promotional video featuring K-pop icon G‑Dragon) with serious policy diplomacy.
Why the summit matters — and where it falls short
Why it matters:
- In a fracturing global trade environment, APEC remains one of the few forums where Asia-Pacific leaders gather for broad economic coordination.
- South Korea’s leadership role signals a shift: middle powers exerting more influence in regional multilateralism.
- The sharpened focus on digital economy, AI and resilience speaks to the problems many economies now face, beyond just tariff wars.
Where it falls short:
- APEC remains a forum of non-binding commitments. Few observers expect sweeping, enforceable deals.
- The U.S.–China rivalry overshadowed many sessions, limiting consensus and shifting the summit toward “managing competition” rather than cooperation.
- Some member economies are still struggling with implementation of past APEC statements; delivery remains the real test.
What to watch going forward
- Will follow-through on digital, AI and sustainability initiatives yield measurable progress in the Asia-Pacific region?
- How will the U.S.–China dynamic evolve post-summit? If Trump and Xi used APEC as a talking point, what comes next matters.
- Will South Korea leverage this moment into longer-term regional leadership, or will the focus slip back into bilateral rivalry and narrow interests?
- Will smaller APEC members benefit from the “Connect, Innovate, Prosper” agenda, or will they continue to feel sidelined?
The bottom line
The 2025 APEC Summit in South Korea may not have delivered headline-grabbing trade treaties, but it did deliver something arguably more durable: a reaffirmation that Asia-Pacific economic cooperation remains relevant even as the global order fractures. In shifting its focus to digital innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth — while navigating geopolitical fault-lines — this year’s summit provided a platform for adaptation rather than nostalgia. The real value now lies in what happens after the summit, not just what was said during it.
