APEC leaders adopt Gyeongju Declaration for renewed regional cooperation in trade, AI, demographic changes

President Lee Jae Myung poses with leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies after the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Saturday. Yonhap

By Anna J. Park

• Published Nov 1, 2025 2:02 PM KST
• Updated Nov 1, 2025 3:50 PM KST

Member economies affirm multilateralism, cultural industry growth

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC) member economies adopted the Gyeongju Declaration, Saturday, reaffirming their commitment to a multilateral and cooperative framework.

The declaration is seen as a significant step toward restoring the spirit of solidarity and collaboration, laying the foundation for shared efforts to promote economic prosperity across the Asia-Pacific region.

In particular, the declaration recognizes the cultural and creative industries as a new driver of growth for the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the need for enhanced cooperation in this field. It marks the first APEC leaders’ statement to explicitly include the cultural and creative sectors, providing an opportunity for K-culture to further establish itself as a key growth engine within the region.

The Presidential Office explained that the Gyeongju Declaration reflects this year’s three key APEC priorities — Connect, Innovate and Prosper — and encompasses major discussions on trade and investment, digital innovation and inclusive growth.

After prolonged negotiations over the wording on trade and investment, member economies reached agreement early this morning. The final declaration affirms that all 21 members view strong trade and investment ties as essential to the Asia-Pacific’s growth and prosperity, and highlights the need for an inclusive trade and investment environment.

"We acknowledge the importance of a trade and investment environment that promotes resilience and benefits for all. We note the
various discussions on the current state and future of global trade and recognize the need for cooperation among economies in this regard," the statement reads. "We will advance economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region in a manner that is market driven, including through work on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) agenda."

As member economies acknowledged that the current global trading system faces significant challenges amid transformative forces such as artificial intelligence (AI) and demographic shifts, they adopted two additional key documents: the APEC Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative (2026–2030) and the APEC Collaborative Framework for Demographic Changes.

In the AI initiative, leaders recognized AI’s transformative potential to enhance competitiveness and innovation. The initiative outlines three core objectives: promoting secure and reliable AI ecosystems that support resilient growth; strengthening members’ participation through cooperation; and encouraging AI development and adoption through investment in efficient technologies and robust infrastructure.

"The initiative reaffirms our commitment to harnessing AI's transformative potential while respecting flexible implementation approaches and varying developmental contexts across member economies, and complementing existing APEC efforts," the statement reads.

The framework for demographic changes is a joint strategy to address the region’s evolving population trends, including declining birthrates, aging societies and rapid urbanization.

Under this framework, APEC economies will focus on building resilient labor markets and health systems, promoting lifelong education and expanding intergenerational participation through innovation and inclusive policies. The plan also emphasizes fostering a "silver economy," strengthening care infrastructure and empowering women, youth and other vulnerable groups.

"This document, as APEC’s first comprehensive population cooperation initiative, establishes a foundation for collaboration to respond to future employment and industrial structural changes and to turn demographic shifts into new growth opportunities through youth empowerment and technological innovation," the presidential office said.

North Korea issue

After the two-day APEC summit concluded with a commemorative photo session with participating leaders, President Lee Jae Myung held a press conference with hundreds of journalists from Korea and abroad.

During the briefing, Lee once again reached out to North Korea, saying that Seoul will take its most proactive measures to build inter-Korean trust through all possible means.

As to Pyongyang's bellicose rhetoric toward Seoul, Lee said the level of bellicosity seems to have been lowered. "Even though North Korea doubts the South Korean government (about its peace overture) and shows hostility, it will take considerable efforts to reverse this doubt and confrontational stance," he said, adding he will continue his role as a "pacemaker" along with U.S. President Donald Trump's role for "peacemaker."

"Peace does not mean a state suppressed by force, nor does it mean winning a war through military power," Lee emphasized. "What meaning would there be in victory after massive destruction and loss of life? Winning through war is the worst option; avoiding conflict is the better one; but creating a peace in which there is no need to fight is the most solid form of peace and security."

Lee added that the Korean Peninsula issue has always been complex and difficult, but underscored that “while peace and stability require strong deterrence, the final stage must always involve dialogue, compromise and a commitment to coexistence and shared prosperity.”