Gyeongju: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a working visit to Gyeongju, South Korea, this Thursday as he leads Malaysia’s delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), which will begin this Friday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Ambassador to South Korea Datuk Mohd Zamruni Khalid said Anwar will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Haji Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, as well as senior government officials. The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver Malaysia’s interventions during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Dialogue with Guests on Friday and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat on Saturday. He will highlight national policies and achievements, and champion the shared priorities of the Global South.
On Friday, among other topics, the Prime Minister will emphasize the importance of inclusivity in strengthening supply chains, digital economic development, and regional cooperation for sustainable growth in his statement on behalf of Malaysia. The following day, during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat themed ‘Preparing a Future-Ready Asia-Pacific’, he will outline Malaysia’s policy framework for digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, ASEAN-level AI initiatives, the enhancement of the national creative industry, and strategic measures to address demographic changes.
Mohd Zamruni stated that Anwar will also hold a dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council on Friday, as well as bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other APEC economies. Additionally, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, will meet with key South Korean companies to explore further business, trade, and investment prospects on the sidelines of the AELM.
Mohd Zamruni expressed confidence that the momentum from the successful conclusion of the ASEAN Summit and related meetings will carry forward to the AELM. He anticipated progress in intra-APEC trade agreements, with the adoption of the Gyeongju Declaration and three other documents. These documents are expected to focus on connectivity in strengthening regional economic and trade integration, resilient supply chains, benefits of innovation, digital transformation, AI, and addressing regional challenges in achieving sustainable development.
APEC Leaders are expected to approve three additional documents providing a strategic direction: the APEC AI Initiative, the Collaborative Framework for Demographic Changes, and the Leaders’ Statement on Cooperation in the Cultural and Creative Industry. Malaysia, a founding member of APEC since 1989, has seen APEC economies contribute 78 per cent of its total trade in 2023, amounting to RM2.6 trillion.
Throughout the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, discussions will revolve around the theme ‘Building a Sustainable Tomorrow’, focusing on the key priorities of ‘Connect, Innovate and Prosper’. This gathering marks 20 years since South Korea last hosted the AELM in 2005 in Busan. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will chair the AELM and lead discussions on promoting trade and investment amid rising global uncertainties, fostering public-private collaboration for economic prosperity, and leveraging emerging trends as new growth drivers.
APEC, a non-binding forum, represents 21 member economies, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of global gross domestic product and 47 per cent of world trade. Gyeongju, nicknamed ‘the museum without walls’, is home to numerous historical sites, some designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and has been chosen to host this year’s gathering of Asia-Pacific economies.