GYEONGJU, South Korea — Leaders of the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies wrapped up the two-day summit in Gyeongju with the adoption of the Gyeongju Declaration, a sweeping agreement that reaffirms the region’s commitment to inclusive growth, digital transformation, and sustainable cooperation amid rising global uncertainty.

The declaration — anchored on the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper” — outlines a blueprint for how APEC economies intend to navigate shifting trade dynamics, demographic changes, and the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

A connected and resilient Asia-Pacific

In the declaration’s opening, leaders acknowledged that the region “stands at a pivotal juncture,” citing trade challenges and rapid technological shifts as forces reshaping economies. They emphasized that APEC remains the premier platform for regional economic cooperation and vowed to work toward realizing the Putrajaya Vision 2040 — a free, open, and resilient Asia-Pacific community.

Under the “Connect” pillar, members pledged to deepen trade and investment cooperation through continued work on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) agenda. The statement reaffirmed support for transparent trade practices, supply chain resilience, and initiatives that enable small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in cross-border trade.

Leaders also recognized the need for quality infrastructure, improved business mobility through digital systems such as the APEC Business Travel Card, and stronger anti-corruption measures to promote investor confidence.

AI, digital transformation at the forefront

A key highlight of the Gyeongju Declaration is the formal endorsement of the APEC Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative, marking a major step toward a coordinated regional approach to AI governance, ethics, and economic adoption.

The initiative calls on members to build “human-centered" AI ecosystems — ensuring that digital transformation benefits all citizens, protects data integrity, and strengthens workforce readiness. Leaders encouraged collaboration on AI-driven innovation while maintaining “trustworthiness and reliability” in emerging technologies.

The document also emphasized closing the digital divide by improving infrastructure and literacy across developing economies. “We underscore the importance of bridging digital divides... and making the benefits of digital transformation accessible to all,” the declaration stated.

Sustainable prosperity

APEC leaders reaffirmed their goal of ensuring that the benefits of growth reach all sectors of society. They endorsed the APEC Collaborative Framework for Demographic Changes, aimed at addressing the challenges of aging populations, declining birth rates, and labor market shifts across the region.

The declaration also focused on shared responses to climate change, energy transition, and food security, calling for diversification of power sources, modernization of electricity grids, and the reduction of food waste and marine debris.

Health resilience was also prioritized, with leaders committing to strengthen digital health systems and harness AI for improved diagnostics and access to care.

The declaration expressed appreciation to South Korea for hosting this year’s APEC meetings and confirmed the People’s Republic of China as the next chair for 2026, followed by Vietnam in 2027 and Mexico in 2028.

The Gyeongju Declaration, according to the statement, symbolizes not only a consensus among member economies but also a renewed commitment to build an "open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040.”