The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit opened in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 29. Addressing key issues like artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition, and Korean soft power, the event runs through Friday with attendees including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and BTS member RM. Hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), it is the largest APEC business gathering ever, with 1,700 global leaders participating.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit officially opened on October 29 at the Gyeongju Arts Center in Gyeongju, South Korea. Running through Friday under the theme "Bridge, Business, Beyond," the event, hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), delves into global issues like artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition, and supply chains.
Key attendees include Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman, Google Asia Pacific Chief Marketing Officer Simon Kahn, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, and Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato. From Korea, KCCI Chair and SK Group Chief Chey Tae-won, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo are participating.
Special addresses from APEC leaders are featured, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivered a special address at the opening ceremony on Korea's vision for advanced industries and sustainable growth.
In his opening remarks, KCCI Chair Chey stated, "The global economy is now going through a massive wave of transformation and we are facing many challenges at this point, like the supply chain shift, competition for AI technologies, digital transformation and climate crisis." He added, "This year's APEC summit will be where we discuss solutions to these challenges."
KCCI Executive Vice Chairman Park Il-jun said, "We hope this summit will serve as a turning point for the AI and advanced industries, fostering exchanges of experience and technologies between different countries."
Wednesday features nine sessions on the global economy, AI, finance, carbon neutrality, and cultural industry, with BTS rapper RM delivering a keynote on Korean culture's soft power. Thursday includes six sessions on supply chains, semiconductors, digital health, and hydrogen, led in part by IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva on the global economic outlook. Friday has five sessions on data centers, health care, and energy transition, concluding with Huang's speech on the AI industry outlook.
The KCCI estimates the summit will generate 7.4 trillion won ($5.14 billion) in economic value and create 22,000 jobs. In a welcome message, Chey noted, "Korea, known for its innovation and dynamic economy, is the ideal setting for this year's discussions on pivotal issues such as energy transition, digital and AI transformation, trade and biotechnology."