APEC Leaders Issue Gyeongju Declaration and Strengthen Cooperation on Economic and Trade Issues

Strategic Insights -

APEC leaders issued the Gyeongju Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthened cooperation and concrete actions to enable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The declaration was issued during the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea. The meeting brought together the leaders of the 21 APEC member economies, including Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, who has been advocating for a dramatic change in Canada's economic strategy to transform it from reliance on a single trade partner.

The Gyeongju Declaration emphasized the importance of cooperation on economic and trade issues, including the promotion of trade liberalization, investment, and innovation. Leaders also discussed the need to address emerging challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and global economic instability. The declaration highlighted the importance of a rules-based multilateral trading system and the need to strengthen cooperation on issues related to the digital economy, green development, and sustainable energy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Gyeongju Declaration emphasizes the importance of cooperation on economic and trade issues among APEC member economies.
  • The declaration reaffirms leaders' commitment to strengthened cooperation and concrete actions to enable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Leaders discussed the need to address emerging challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and global economic instability.
  • The declaration highlighted the importance of a rules-based multilateral trading system and the need to strengthen cooperation on issues related to the digital economy, green development, and sustainable energy.
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada has been advocating for a dramatic change in Canada's economic strategy to transform it from reliance on a single trade partner.
  • The 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting was chaired by President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea, who emphasized the importance of addressing emerging challenges and promoting economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • The meeting brought together the leaders of the 21 APEC member economies, including Prime Minister Carney of Canada, who has been playing a key role in promoting trade liberalization and investment among APEC member economies.

Statistics:

  • APEC member economies account for approximately 39% of global GDP and 45% of world trade.
  • The Gyeongju Declaration emphasizes the importance of cooperation on economic and trade issues among APEC member economies, with a focus on trade liberalization, investment, and innovation.
  • The declaration highlights the need to address emerging challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and global economic instability, which pose a threat to economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • APEC leaders emphasized the importance of a rules-based multilateral trading system and the need to strengthen cooperation on issues related to the digital economy, green development, and sustainable energy.

Sources:

  • APEC -- Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Gyeongju Declaration)
  • Government of Canada -- Prime Minister (statement on the Gyeongju Declaration)
  • Government of Canada News (summary of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting)
  • People's Republic of China -- State Council News (article on the Chishui River Forum)
  • United Nations (statement on the Gyeongju Declaration)