APEC CEO Summit to serve as platform for insights into future

Gyeongju Arts Center, the main venue for the APEC CEO Summit 2025 / Courtesy of Gyeongju City Government

The upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit is expected to serve as a platform for global business leaders and prominent industry figures to share their views on the future of the global economy and innovation.

The APEC CEO Summit is one of the official events of the 2025 APEC program in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Unlike other events that focus mainly on economic and government policy for regional prosperity, the CEO Summit is hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), a private business organization, and centers on more practical business discussions, new technologies and emerging industrial trends.

Slated for Oct. 28 to 31 in the historic city, the event is expected to draw 1,700 officials and representatives from APEC economies and the world’s leading businesses.

Key participants

Arguably the event's biggest name is Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who will have a special session on Oct. 31 at Gyeongju Arts Center. Nvidia said he will attend the summit to share the company’s vision for accelerating technological innovation and global growth, including in Korea, across the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, digital twin technology and autonomous driving.

Also expected to attend are SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The two, along with the Nvidia CEO, are key figures behind the Stargate project, a $500 billion joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank to build AI infrastructure in the United States.

Expectations are rising that the three may discuss AI cooperation with Korean business leaders during the event, particularly with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and KCCI and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who have announced their participation in the Stargate initiative.

President Lee Jae Myung applauds with attendees of a meeting with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, second from left, at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Wednesday. At left is Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and on the right is SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. Courtesy of presidential office

Also gaining attention is U.S. President Donald Trump’s possible appearance at the event. Trump is expected to make a one- or two-day visit to Korea starting on Wednesday. Given that he has been encouraging global companies’ U.S.-bound investments and emphasizing Washington’s leadership in the global AI race, the CEO Summit could be one of his stops during the visit.

Discussing global challenges

The theme of the CEO Summit is “Bridge, Business, Beyond,” under which participants will discuss key global issues such as regional economic integration, AI and digital transformation, sustainability, finance and investment, and bio and health.

Beginning with a welcome reception on Tuesday night, the CEO Summit will officially kick off with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, followed by sessions on global economic challenges, regional cooperation strategies, digital transformation efficiency and trade protectionism.

On the first day of the summit, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann will address global economic issues, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman and Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon will discuss how their companies’ AI capabilities can drive industrial innovation and build new ecosystems.

On Wednesday, the CEO Summit will feature speeches by national leaders and discussions on topics including sovereign AI strategies, growth of the Asia-Pacific digital market, mega infrastructure projects for AI semiconductors and supply chains.

Among the speakers on Wednesday, Microsoft Corporate Vice President Antony Cook will address public-private partnerships for scalable and responsible AI diffusion, while Google Asia-Pacific Chief Marketing Officer Simon Kahn and LG AI Research head Lee Hong-lak will offer glimpses into the next-generation AI road map for sustainable innovation. POSCO Chairman Chang In-hwa will also give an address on resilient supply chains.

On the last day of the event, participants will discuss future-oriented issues such as data center power management, the transition to clean energy, sustainable growth, disaster management technologies and strategies for carbon neutrality.

“The CEO Summit will serve as an opportunity for APEC to evolve beyond an economic forum into a platform that leads global governance,” a KCCI official said.

Cheomgseongdae, an ancient astronomical observatory in Gyeongju, the host city of the 2025 APEC CEO Summit, is illuminated during a light show, Monday. Yonhap

Future Tech Forum

On the sidelines of the CEO Summit, the Future Tech Forum series on shipbuilding, defense, retail economy, AI, digital assets and future energy will take place throughout the event’s run.

The shipbuilding session, slated for Monday, will be led by HD Hyundai Group, with the heavy industry giant’s new Chairman Chung Ki-sun delivering a keynote address.

At the forum, HD Hyundai will discuss the future direction and technological innovation of the shipbuilding industry with global experts under the theme “Shaping the Future of Shipbuilding.”

As the keynote speaker, Chung will introduce HD Hyundai’s technologies in AI, decarbonization and manufacturing innovation in the shipbuilding industry.

HD Hyundai’s major partners, including Huntington Ingalls, Anduril, the American Bureau of Shipping, Siemens and Persona AI, will also send their leaders to the session to discuss naval defense, the future of shipbuilding and shipyards, and Korea-U.S. cooperation in shipbuilding.

The defense session, also scheduled for Monday, will be led by Hanwha Group’s three defense companies — Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha System and Hanwha Ocean.

The session will introduce the competitiveness of Korea’s defense industry to domestic and international military and defense officials. Participants will also explore the role of the defense industry in promoting sustainable peace, discuss areas of cooperation and examine how emerging technologies such as AI are reshaping the battlefield.

Highlighting the AI session, slated for Tuesday, will be SK Group. Chey, who is also the chairman of SK Group, will deliver a keynote on building an AI ecosystem, while Ha Jung-woo, presidential secretary for AI, is scheduled to present on Korea's experiences.

Naver CEO Choi, AWS CEO Garman and other experts will provide attendees an opportunity to engage with global AI leaders and explore ways to advance AI strategies and industries in APEC economies.

The retail economy session will feature a keynote speech by David Bell, co-founder of Idea Farm Ventures, on Tuesday, while leaders of Dunamu will talk about digital assets on Thursday. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Qcells will lead the future energy session on Thursday.

Also drawing interest is the K-Tech Showcase that will run from Tuesday to Friday. The showcase will feature major companies such as Samsung, LG, SK and Hyundai Motor, as well as medium-sized enterprises, and showcase their new technologies in mobility, robotics, AI, smart homes and other future industries.