APEC In Motion: Shared Challenges and Collective Action in Korea’s Host Year

Amid growing uncertainty about global macroeconomic conditions and a shift towards protectionist trade policies, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum remains a strong multilateral tool for collaboration and engagement across its member economies. On March 19, 2025, Meridian International Center, in partnership with the National Center for APEC (NCAPEC) and Organon, convened diplomats, policymakers, and private sector leaders for high-level discussions on the Republic of Korea’s leadership priorities in its APEC Host Year and the opportunities for economic growth and regional integration. 

Special remarks were given by: His Excellency Cho Hyung-dong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the U.S.; Dr. Richard Cantor, Vice Chairman of Moody’s Ratings, Chair of the U.S. National Committee of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, and International Co-Chair of PECC; and The Honorable Matt Murray, U.S. Senior Official for APEC, U.S. Department of State. 

The subsequent panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Monica Hardy Whaley, President of the National Center for APEC, and featured: Dr. Monica He, Head of International Policy and Government Affairs at Organon & Co.; Dr. Chul Chung, Chief Research Officer of the Federation of Korean Industries and President of the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI); and Ms. Marta Prado, Director of Global Government Engagement at Visa Inc. 

These Were the Top Takeaways From the Program: 

1. Republic of Korea’s APEC 2025 Outlook 

APEC 2025’s theme is “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,” which officials have separated into three key priorities: connect, innovate, and prosper. These priorities mirror the R.O.K.’s concerns about geopolitical and trade conflicts, artificial intelligence and technological change, and demographic challenges. To address these goals the R.O.K. has prioritized public-private partnerships, people-to-people exchanges, expanding regional technological integration, and using technology to offset the challenges of an ageing population. These solutions will be central to the R.O.K.’s APEC programs, emphasizing the continuing importance of international collaboration to address shared challenges and build a sustainable future for the Asia-Pacific region. 

2. Prosperity and Demographic Difficulties 

With the lowest fertility rate in the world and a median age over 45, the R.O.K has increasingly focused on addressing its growing demographic challenge. Thus, the slight increase in infertility rates last year (rose by 0.03 to 0.75 in 2024) is a successful reversal of a years-long trend that poses a significant barrier to the prosperity and security of many APEC partners. The dual effects of aging populations and declining birth rates challenge labor force development and threaten to drive up government spending on healthcare. The Republic of Korea has found success with programs to support potential parents with financial incentives, workforce regulation, healthcare support, and childcare services, often in collaboration or consultation with private sector partners. The aging population has also been served by embracing the “silver economy”, and driving healthcare innovations that will extend health spans to enable extended labor force participation. The R.O.K. will bring these successes and challenges to APEC partners, elevating the framework to address demographic shifts, enhance workforce sustainability, and foster economic resilience across member economies. 

3. Innovation and Artificial Intelligence 

Emerging technologies present incredible opportunities for growth across the Asia-Pacific. Advances in artificial intelligence are expected to enable innovations in healthcare that will ease demographic challenges, enable improved management of cross-border data flows, expand access to financial services, and support the upskilling of workers across economies. The implementation of private-sector innovations across APEC will require significant multilateral cooperation, which the R.O.K. and APEC 2025 are prepared to facilitate. 

4. Building Connection and Global Uncertainty

 Facing the specter of expanding trade conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty, APEC remains a unique forum for global collaboration on shared priorities. The Korean economy is deeply integrated across the Asia-Pacific region, with 8 of its top 10 trade partners falling within APEC. With officials from the U.S. and R.O.K in agreement that partnerships between public institutions and the private sector are the “secret sauce” of APEC’s success, expanding such collaboration during the Economic Leaders’ Week provides an additional vector for expanding market integration. Additional opportunities for connections championed by the R.O.K. include expanded person-to-person exchanges through efforts to expand the APEC Business Travel Card, and encouragement of new scientific exchanges. 

5. Envisioning Success for APEC 2025 

Completing the Summit of Leaders with the participation of heads of state from each APEC member state would be a success, affirming multilateral stability despite geopolitical uncertainty. Beyond this, the significant expansion of public-private partnerships through ministerial meetings and unofficial partnerships will formalize the connections formed during APEC. Whether it takes the form of coordinated statements between the Summit of Leaders and CEO Summit, or significant partnerships announced on the sidelines, such agreements will be a significant metric for success.   

Project summary

APEC In Motion: Shared Challenges and Collective Action in Korea’s Host Year | March 2025
Impact Areas:	Business and Trade
Program Areas:	Corporate Diplomacy