Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders adopted the Gyeongju Declaration at the 2025 summit, recognizing cultural and creative industries as a growth driver for the first time. The declaration reaffirmed the importance of trade and investment cooperation but omitted references to the World Trade Organization (WTO)-centered multilateral trade system, drawing attention. South Korea's initiatives on AI and demographic changes were highlighted.
The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, held in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 31 to November 1, 2025, culminated in the adoption of the Gyeongju Declaration by leaders of the 21 member economies. Under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow," the document focuses on three priorities—Connect, Innovate, Prosper—to advance regional economic cooperation.
For the first time, the declaration acknowledges the positive contribution of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) to economic growth. It states, "We acknowledge the positive contribution of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) to economic growth... recognize the increasing role of CCIs in the economic growth and their role in fostering people-to-people ties as well as in encouraging better understanding and mutual respect among member economies in the Asia-Pacific." South Korea's presidential office noted this as an outcome of its initiative to promote 'K-culture' as a regional growth driver. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are highlighted as fostering cultural production and consumption.
On trade and investment, the leaders reaffirmed that "robust trade and investment are vital to the growth and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region," committing to deeper cooperation. However, unlike declarations from 2021 to 2024, it omits references to a rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, reflecting divides amid the Trump administration's "America First" policy and U.S.-China trade tensions. President Lee Jae Myung stated in a press conference, "We had different views on whether to include a separate chapter on trade and investment, but a smooth consensus was ultimately reached."
Separate documents were adopted on South Korea's key initiatives: the APEC AI Initiative, promoting innovation and capacity building, and the Collaborative Framework for Demographic Changes, addressing low birth rates and aging through resilient systems. The declaration also covers resilient supply chains, support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), energy security, and food security, calling for collective action on global challenges. It aligns with the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and looks forward to future hosts starting with China in 2026.
