Gyeongju: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit concluded its three-day event on Friday, providing a platform for global business leaders to share their perspectives on the future of the global economy, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and energy sectors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this year's summit was held under the theme "Bridge, Business, Beyond" and took place in South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju. The event attracted approximately 1,700 business figures, including Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang, Johnson and Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato, Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman, and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser. Prominent Korean business leaders such as SK Group's Chey Tae-won, Samsung Electronics' Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor's Euisun Chung, and LG Group's Koo Kwang-mo also participated.
The CEO Summit served as a rare international stage for discussions on pressing economic issues, technological innovation, and industrial growth amidst changes in the global trade order. Participants attended multiple sessions covering a range of topics, from the impact of AI on industries to the significance of carbon neutrality.
A notable highlight was a session featuring Nvidia's Jensen Huang, who announced plans to deploy 260,000 AI chips in Korea, supporting major Korean conglomerates in advancing the country's AI initiatives. Additionally, Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon emphasized the role of hydrogen energy in achieving carbon neutrality, while Naver Corp. CEO Choi Soo-yeon outlined Korea's ambitions to become a global AI leader.
The summit facilitated Korea in securing a combined US$9 billion investment from global companies, including AWS and Siemens Healthineers. Moreover, during the Invest Korea Summit, seven other international firms expressed plans to invest $550 million in South Korea's semiconductor, future mobility, and wind power sectors.
The event also featured addresses by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, among other APEC leaders. BTS's RM highlighted the influence of Korean culture's soft power.
KCCI Chair Chey Tae-won proposed commitments for APEC leaders based on summit discussions, focusing on bridging gaps in AI technology, tackling global challenges through cooperation, and creating sustainable growth strategies. Chey emphasized APEC's role in strengthening the global economy's resilience and inclusiveness.
Chey concluded the summit by passing the hosting responsibilities to Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, who will host next year's APEC business gathering.