Seoul: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim is undertaking an official working visit to South Korea from today until Tuesday (May 11-13) to attend the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) stated that Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM in Jeju, marking the first time the meeting has been held in 11 years, with the last gathering taking place in Vietnam in 2014.

The meeting is part of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference and is themed ‘Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work’. The discussion will focus on two main topics: Flexible and Dynamic Labour Markets, and Work Challenges of the Future and Active Labour Market Policies.

KESUMA noted that Malaysia’s participation in this year’s HRDMM underscores its ongoing commitment to fostering cooperation and strengthening ties with APEC economic partners in human resources, manpower, and social protection.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Sim will engage in bilateral talks with Thailand’s Labour Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn and Hong Kong’s Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun. These discussions aim to explore strategic cooperation in labour matters and human capital development.

The Human Resources Minister and his counterparts are expected to produce a Ministerial Joint Statement addressing topics such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), women’s participation in the workforce, empowerment of persons with disabilities, and worker safety and health.