APEC ministers push innovation, AI to sustain growth

GYEONGJU, South Korea — Trade and foreign ministers from 21 APEC member economies reaffirmed their commitment to safeguard sustainable growth across the Asia-Pacific during the APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held on October 29–30, 2025.

Convened ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), the AMM carried the 2025 theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow Together” under the chairmanship of the Republic of Korea.

The discussions focused on three key priorities — “Connect,” “Innovate,” and “Prosper” — as APEC economies sought to deepen cooperation amid rapid technological and structural changes in the global economy.

Ministers emphasized the importance of innovation and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the region.

Representing the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty co-led the delegation as Foreign Minister and Alternate Minister Responsible for Trade, respectively.

Undersecretary Gepty, speaking on behalf of DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, underscored the crucial role of innovation-driven supply chain resilience in sustaining regional stability.

“Building resilient supply chains is now a prerequisite for stability, security, and inclusive growth,” Gepty said.

He added that “the Philippines thus supports ongoing APEC work to strengthen supply chain resilience through innovation, promote trusted and interoperable digital ecosystems, and ensure that our collective initiatives contribute to the revitalization of the multilateral trading system.”

The AMM concluded the series of sectoral ministerial meetings held throughout the APEC year and laid the groundwork for the AELM to be attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on October 31 and November 1.

As APEC 2025 Chair, Korea is leading efforts to finalize key deliverables at the leaders’ summit, including initiatives on artificial intelligence and a regional framework addressing demographic changes.

APEC, or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, serves as the leading forum for promoting free trade, digital innovation, and sustainable development among its 21 member economies, which together account for nearly 60 percent of global GDP and almost half of global trade.