Gyeongju: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit officially commenced on Wednesday, spotlighting pivotal issues such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. The business-centric gathering is running parallel to the annual APEC forum's leader summit and is hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). It will continue through Friday under the theme "Bridge, Business, Beyond," providing an international platform for discussions on global issues and cooperation opportunities among business leaders.
According to Yonhap News Agency, prominent figures at the event include Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman, Google's Chief Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific Simon Kahn, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, and Johnson and Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato. Key South Korean industry leaders, such as SK Group's Chey Tae-won, Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, are also scheduled to participate.
The summit's opening ceremony, held in Gyeongju, featured keynote addresses from leaders of APEC member economies, including U.S. President Donald Trump and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivered a special address on Korea's vision for advanced industries and sustainable growth, emphasizing the importance of supply chain cooperation.
Chey Tae-won of the KCCI highlighted in his opening remarks that this year's APEC summit provides a platform to address global challenges such as the supply chain shift, AI competition, digital transformation, and the climate crisis. Wednesday's sessions focused on AI-driven economies, digital transformation, and enhanced connectivity among APEC members.
The KCCI noted that this year's summit is the largest APEC business gathering to date, with around 1,700 global business figures participating. "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," stated Park Il-jun, executive vice chairman of the KCCI.
Thursday's agenda includes six sessions on supply chains, semiconductors, digital health, and hydrogen, alongside a session on the global economic outlook led by International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva. On Friday, five sessions will cover topics like data centers, health care, and the energy transition, with Nvidia's Jensen Huang concluding the event with a special address on the AI industry's future.
The KCCI estimates that this year's APEC summit will generate an economic value of 7.4 trillion won ($5.14 billion) and help create 22,000 jobs.