About APEC 2025 KOREA

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS, Minister HAN Seongsook) announced that on Monday, September 1, the 31st APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting (SMEMM)* will officially open in Jeju, along with APEC SME Week (September 1–5, 2025), at the International Convention Center Jeju (ICC JEJU). * As one of the sectoral ministerial meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the APEC SMEMM has been held annually since 1994 to discuss issues concerning SMEs, startups, and micro enterprises within the APEC region. [ Overview of APEC SMEs Week ]   ■ Date & Venue: September 1 (Monday) – September 5 (Friday), 2025, ICC Jeju and nearby hotels including Lotte, Shilla, and Booyoung   ■ Participants: Minister of MSS, representatives from 21 APEC member economies, international organizations, and approximately 5,000 attendees   ■ Main Programs: Ministerial meeting, working-level meetings, two official workshops, and eight side events including the “K-Shopping Festa”       The APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting is one of the sectoral meetings held ahead of the APEC Summit to be convened in Gyeongju this October. It brings together 21 member economies of APEC to discuss policy cooperation on challenges faced by SMEs, such as climate change and population decline. In addition, beyond serving as a simple international conference, it is also an important opportunity for Korean SMEs to expand their global networks through cooperation with APEC member economies. Accordingly, MSS has designated the first week of September, when the APEC Ministerial Meeting will be held, as “APEC SME Week.” The Ministry has prepared not only for policy exchanges among member economies but also for enabling APEC SME representatives to see, hear, and experience as much as possible the excellence of Korea’s leading SMEs, venture businesses, and microbusinesses. “APEC SME Week” will kick off on Monday, September 1, with the official workshop titled the “APEC SME Innovation Forum.” In addition, a commemorative ceremony will be held to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the “APEC SME Innovation Center,” which was founded following the joint declaration of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting held in Daegu in 2005. On the second day (September 2), the official workshop “ASEIC* Global Eco-Innovation Forum” will be held to discuss cooperative measures for eco-friendly innovation across Asia, Europe, and the APEC region. Subsequently, on September 3–4, the “APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group Meeting” will take place, bringing together SME policy officials from APEC member economies for in-depth discussions on challenges faced by SMEs and corresponding policy responses. *  ASEM SMEs Eco Innovation Center (ASEIC): Established in 2011 to promote cooperation on eco-friendly growth between Europe and Asia The highlight of the event, the “APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting,” will be held on the final day, Friday, September 5. Ministerial-level officials from each member economy will attend to conclude the discussions and adopt a joint declaration that includes the outcomes of the meeting and future plans. At this Ministerial Meeting, under the theme “MSMEs as Engines of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,” member economies will share policies on challenges faced by SMEs and discuss three areas of cooperation. [ 2025 APEC SME Ministerial Meeting Theme and Key Agendas ] Theme MSMEs as Engines of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Key agendas Innovative growth through emerging technologies Sharing best practices of creating new business models and leading global markets through artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, and discussing the key factors behind their success Sustainable growth through smart policies Sharing policies implemented by member economies to help SMEs effectively respond to various environmental changes such as climate and demographic shifts Inclusive growth through enhanced connectivity Discussing APEC-wide cooperation measures to support SME growth and entry into global markets by fostering linkages with diverse economic actors     Through this, it is expected to serve as an important venue for jointly shaping the direction of SME cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, in response to global crises faced by SMEs such as the rapid advancement of AI and changes in global supply chains. In addition, during “APEC Ministerial Meeting Week,” eight flagship MSS events encompassing SMEs, venture businesses, and microbusinesses will be held, starting with the opening ceremony of the K-Shopping Festival (August 30–31), followed by “Global Startup Day in Jeju*,” the Korea SME Innovative Show, etc. * Joint opening ceremony for startups (Challenge! K-Startup, Grand Challenge Showcase) and venture businesses (Global Venture Investment Summit) ** ➊ Microbusinesses (K-Shopping Festa Opening Ceremony), ➋ Startups (Challenge! K-Startup Opening Ceremony and four others), ➌ Technology innovation (Korea SME Innovative Show, Innovation Network Forum for SMES and two others), ➍ Climate (Global Eco-Innovation Forum) With these abundant side events combined, “APEC SME Week” is expected to become both a platform to showcase the innovative capacity of Korean SMEs and venture businesses to the world and a springboard for their global expansion, as well as a festival for SME and venture entrepreneurs that all participants can enjoy. Minister HAN Seongsook stated, “This ‘APEC SME Week,’ including the Ministerial Meeting, is a valuable opportunity for our SMEs to leap forward on the global stage.” She added, “Through cooperation with APEC member economies, we will drive innovative, inclusive, and sustainable growth while actively supporting our companies to advance into the global market.” She also emphasized, “We will do our utmost to ensure that all programs are completed safely and successfully through to the Ministerial Plenary on September 5,” adding, “We hope this meeting will serve as the first step for SMEs across not only Korea but the entire Asia-Pacific region to become key drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth.”

Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) is hosting the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Energy Ministerial Meeting (APEC EMM) from Wednesday, August 27 to Thursday, August 28 in Busan. In line with the global trend of pursuing both carbon neutrality and energy security, the meeting seeks to set directions and explore collaborative measures for energy transition and innovation within the APEC region.   This year marks the first time in 20 years that Korea serves as chair of the APEC EMM. The opening ceremony carries added significance as it took place at Nurimaru APEC House, the same venue that hosted the 2005 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.   <15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting> - (Date/Venue) August 27 (Wed) 16:30 - 18:30 Nurimaru APEC House (Korea’s opening remarks available to the public) August 28 (Thu) 09:00 - 16:00 Paradise Hotel Busan - (Agenda) ① Electricity grid & energy security, ② Expanding stable energy supply, ③ AI-driven energy innovation - (Participants) About 340 representatives from 21 APEC member economies, international organizations, and global companies   A key global energy trend today is the rapid advance of electrification, driven by the growth of cutting-edge industries and the proliferation of AI data centers. With energy demand surging, stable supply and stronger grid security are becoming increasingly critical. While AI fuels rising demand, it can also offer solutions by optimizing energy systems and improving their efficiency. Against this backdrop, the 15th APEC EMM is addressing the following three key agendas.   The first agenda focuses on expanding stable energy supply. Participants share a common understanding that energy demand within the APEC region is rapidly increasing due to the spread of AI data centers and the electrification of industries and transportation. To address imbalances in supply and demand, they are discussing measures to expand stable, economical, and reliable supply. Senior officials from Mission Innovation and the World Bank are also attending this session to share insights on public-private cooperation for strategic investment and technology innovation.   The second agenda addresses strengthening grid security and reliability. This session provides an opportunity for participants to explore measures in bolstering energy security through grid expansion and modernization. Representatives from international organizations, including the Clean Energy Ministerial Secretariat, and global energy companies are participating to discuss grid modernization strategies, technological advances, and opportunities for regional innovation.   The third agenda examines AI-driven energy innovation. Participants are building consensus around the idea that in the era of AI transformation, the AI revolution and energy innovation must advance together. They are discussing ways to leverage AI to ensure both the efficiency and reliability of energy systems. The World Economic Forum and the Asian Development Bank are also participating, introducing AI-powered initiatives and programs currently being implemented in energy systems.   These three agendas are the central themes of the APEC EMM plenary session. In his opening remarks, Vice Minister of MOTIE Lee Ho-hyeon stated, “Korea is developing various technologies to expand energy supply in response to demand surges, building an ‘Energy Highway’ to enhance grid stability and resilience, and establishing a ‘K-Grid’ that combines microgrid and AI technology to improve efficiency in grid management.” He added, “This 15th APEC EMM will serve as an important milestone in advancing regional energy cooperation.”

Energy Super Week will run from Monday, August 25 to Friday, August 29 at BEXCO and Nurimaru Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) House in Busan, Korea. This international event brings together global energy leaders in conjunction with the 2025 World Climate Industry EXPO (WCE), the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting (CEM16), the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting (MI-10), and the 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting.   The five-day event has been organized through active cooperation among Korean ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. As chair of APEC 2025 KOREA, CEM16, and MI-10, Korea will lead discussions on advancing global energy agendas and present AI-driven strategies for energy innovation and climate action under the theme “Energy for AI & AI for Energy.” Energy Super Week will bring together 40 government delegations, officials from 65 international organizations, 1,300 prominent figures including global business executives, and representatives from 540 companies. Korea aims to leverage this opportunity to strengthen its role as a hub for international energy cooperation.   2025 WCE: Platform for AI and Energy Innovation   ❶ The 2025 World Climate Industry EXPO (WCE) will be co-hosted by the Korean government, the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the World Bank (WB) from August 27 to 29 at BEXCO. Following opening remarks by Korea’s Prime Minister, leading figures in the global energy and climate sectors—including IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol and Microsoft Director of Sustainability Policy Michelle Patron—will deliver keynote addresses. This year’s expo carries added significance as WB joins as a new co-host, reinforcing global cooperation.   ❷ The 2025 WCE will feature 12 global conferences, four of which are organized directly by international bodies such as IEA, WB, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Key agendas include energy & AI, smart energy, and low-carbon innovation strategies, with participation from major global tech companies including Microsoft, Google, NVIDIA, and General Electric. Korean ministries and organizations will also host sessions to explore climate and energy solutions in collaboration with the international community. Hosts include MOTIE, the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth, Busan Metropolitan City, MSIT, the Korea Meteorological Administration, the Korea Forest Service, and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.   ❸ The 2025 WCE will operate six exhibition halls showcasing nearly 540 companies, including Samsung, LG, and other major Korean corporations. Exhibits will highlight innovations across offshore wind energy, hydrogen, and carbon reduction technologies. A highlight will be the newly launched “Energy Highway” hall, where Korean power equipment companies will present next-generation power grids, high-voltage direct current transmission systems, energy storage systems, and digital power solutions. This new hall is designed as a symbolic space to communicate the new Korean administration’s visions for energy transition to the international community.   ❹ Alongside the conferences and exhibitions, visitors can take part in a job fair and global networking program featuring 45 Korean public energy corporations, Germany’s RWE, the Global Green Growth Institute, and WB. Their participation is expected to generate new job opportunities and expand international cooperation. To further enrich the event, experiential programs will include a talk concert by a science YouTuber on August 28, an AI-based photography experience, and a drone light show at Gwangalli Beach on August 27.   APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting: Advancing Global Policymaking and Cooperation   Ministerial meetings will be held in succession during Energy Super Week. The 16th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting (CEM16) and the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting (MI-10) will take place from August 25 to 27 at BEXCO under the theme “Energizing Cooperation for a Prosperous Future.” Participants will discuss policy and technological innovation to accelerate the spread of clean energy.   These two events bring together senior government officials and representatives from leading international companies and organizations to seek joint public-private initiatives across four key agendas: Power Transformation; Future Fuels (such as hydrogen and bio-energy); Industry Decarbonization & Energy Efficiency; and Energy & AI.   The 15th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting will follow from August 27 to 28 at Nurimaru APEC House and Paradise Hotel Busan. Delegations at the ministerial or sub-ministerial level from all 21 member economies—together with nearly 330 representatives from international organizations and private sector stakeholders—will focus on pressing global issues, including strengthening power grid infrastructure and energy security, ensuring stable power supply for data centers, and promoting energy innovation through AI.   Korea’s MOTIE Minister Kim Jung-kwan emphasized that as chair of the three ministerial meetings during Energy Super Week, Korea must demonstrate international leadership in the energy sector. He added that the success of this event would lay the foundation for the successful 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in October.

- First-Ever APEC High-Level Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries to Open New Channels for Cooperation through Cultural and Creative Industries   The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST) will host the inaugural 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High-Level Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do province, from August 26 to 28.   The High-Level Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries marks the first ministerial-level meeting  held under the APEC forum with participation from its 21 member economies, which implies its significance for acknowledging cultural and creative industries as vital drivers of the economy. The confirmed attendance of chief representatives from leading member economies at this first-ever dialogue demonstrates strong regional interest in and commitment to advancing cultural cooperation.   hree sessions: Connect, Innovate, and Prosper – Exploring plans for regional growth via CCIs, the impact of digital technology and AI, and plans for regional cultural cooperation   Under the theme “Cultural and Creative Industries: New Horizons for Prosperity,” the High-Level Dialogue will be divided into three thematic sessions: Connect, Innovate, and Prosper, in alignment with the overarching theme of the 2025 APEC Summit, “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.”   The first session, “CCIs as a New Catalyst for Economic Cooperation within APEC,” will aim to build a consensus around cultural and creative industries as new core growth engines in APEC regional development and also explore opportunities for regional growth. The session will share best practices of member economies where cultural and creative industries have facilitated a close integration across culture, technology, and industry.   The second session, “Developments in CCIs Driven by Digital and AI Innovation,” will explore how digital and AI technologies impact and reshape all lifecycle stages of the cultural and creative industries. The session will present case studies highlighting the fusion of advanced technology and cultural expression and discuss measures to safeguard the rights of creators in the digital transformation era.   The third session, “Advancing a Harmonious Asia-Pacific Community through CCIs,” will discuss practical cultural cooperation ideas grounded in cultural diversity and mutual respect. The session will also emphasize the need to establish a sustainable framework for APEC cultural collaboration.   As a key outcome of the High-Level Dialogue, APEC member economies are expected to adopt a resolution document affirming their shared regional commitment to sustained cooperation in the cultural and creative industries. This will serve as a foundation for future APEC discussions to position cultural and creative industries as new economic drivers and to emphasize the need for continued collaboration in the sector.   Showcasing K-content during the High-Level Dialogue: Hope for a new platform where culture drives the economy   A welcome banquet will be hosted on August 26 at the Wooyang Musuem of Contemporary Art, featuring performances and exhibitions to spotlight globally celebrated K-content. The banquet will present Gyeongju’s signature ingredients and traditional liquors, accompanied by a performance directed by Production Designer Jeong Gu-ho. The banquet hall will also display cultural products from the National Museum Cultural Foundation’s MU:DS, including a miniature replica of Bangasayusang (pensive Bodhisattva) and a magpie and tiger badge from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters.   “The High-Level Dialogue in Gyeongju will serve as an opportunity to share Korea’s rich cultural experience and creativity with the world,” said Minister CHAE. “We hope this High-Level Dialogue will open a new cooperation platform where culture drives economic growth.”