Building a better future together

In just a few days, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, from the Oct 31 to Nov 1. As this year’s host, Korea is working its final preparations to welcome delegates from 20 member economies, including Thailand, to ensure a successful and productive outcome.

- PARK YONGMIN

A photo taken on Oct 22 shows people riding on escalators in front of an advertisement for the 2025 Apec leaders' summit in Gyeongju, in Seoul, South Korea.

(REUTERS)

The Asia-Pacific is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regions in the world, with a profound influence on the global economy. The 21 member economies of Apec together account for about 61% of global GDP and a half of world trade. Against this backdrop, Apec has served as a vital forum for dialogue, trust-building, and cooperation across the regions since its founding in 1989.

Today, as the world faces growing uncertainty and complex global challenges, Apec remains a cornerstone for shaping collective responses that are both practical and forward-looking. In this context, the theme of this year’s summit “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper” captures the aspirations that will guide our discussions.