A two-day summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum commenced in Gyeongju, bringing together representatives from its 21 member economies. Delegates, including Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, are set to discuss international trade, artificial intelligence, digital development, demographic issues, and other global challenges.
The 2025 summit is held under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper." The meeting, split across two days and two sessions, is expected to conclude with the adoption of a joint declaration. The "APEC Leaders' Week" in Gyeongju began on October 27, featuring a series of preparatory meetings, including the Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting, the APEC Ministerial Meeting, and the APEC CEO Summit, which saw participation from leaders of major Western corporations.
According to the organizers, a total of 15 economies are being represented at the APEC events at the highest level. This list included US President Donald Trump, who spoke at a gathering on October 29 but departed South Korea before the main summit. A US-China summit was also held on the forum's sidelines. Six other APEC members are represented by deputy prime ministers or ministers.
The presence of foreign heads of state has necessitated stringent security measures. Approximately 19,000 police officers are deployed daily in Gyeongju to maintain order. Security forces have been equipped with anti-drone technology, with helicopters and armored vehicles on standby. A heightened anti-terrorism alert level has been declared in the southeastern region hosting the city. Nationwide, around 3,900 military personnel have been mobilized, with a particular focus on securing airports used by international guests. Traffic restrictions have been in effect throughout the week, with police barriers erected around the summit venue.
About APEC
The APEC forum comprises 21 economies: 19 states, including Russia, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Peru, South Korea, the US, and Japan, plus two Chinese regions (Hong Kong and Taiwan).
"APEC accounts for 61% of global GDP and 49% of international trade. It is a leading manufacturing hub and a critical node in global supply chains," stated Yo Han-gu, South Korea's Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The forum's secretariat emphasizes its non-political, economic character. In line with this, national flags are typically not used at APEC meetings, with nameplates identifying the "economies" instead of countries. The term "economies" is preferred over "countries" or "states."
However, Russia's senior APEC official, Marat Berdyev, has previously noted that representatives from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan have attempted to politicize the forum's discussions by raising geopolitical issues.
As highlighted by the summit's preparatory committee, the "strength and weakness of APEC as a group" lies in the non-binding nature of its decisions and the requirement for consensus on all agenda items. The forum has not expanded its membership since 1998, with members having agreed on several moratoriums on new admissions.
The idea for APEC was first proposed by the Australian Prime Minister during a visit to South Korea in 1989. The forum was established later that year in Canberra with 12 founding members, including South Korea. Russia joined APEC in 1998. South Korea previously hosted the APEC leaders' summit in Busan in 2005.
Gyeongju: A Historical Backdrop
Gyeongju, the capital of the medieval Korean kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD), is a major tourist destination and home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Bulguksa Temple Buddhist monastic complex and the historic areas of the city with its royal burial mounds. The Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple were among the first South Korean landmarks to be inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1995.
South Korea's presidential administration highlighted that in the 7th century, Silla controlled two-thirds of the Korean Peninsula, ushering in a prolonged period of peace. Emphasizing the city's historical significance and themes of peace, the South Korea-US summit was held at the Gyeongju National Museum, where President Trump was presented with a gilt-bronze replica of a famous crown unearthed in the ancient capital.
The previous APEC leaders' meeting was held in Peru, and the next one is scheduled to take place in China.
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Photo: myllissa/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS