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President Lee Jae-myung presides over the first session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit at the HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju on October 31. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung on Friday urged APEC leaders to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in the face of global instability, declaring that “we all stand at a historic turning point in the international order.”

Speaking at the first session of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held at the HICO Convention Center in Gyeongju, Lee said, “Amid the sweeping transformation of the free international order, global economic uncertainty is deepening, and momentum for trade and investment is weakening. Cooperation and solidarity are the surest way to overcome these challenges.”

Lee noted that this year’s theme—Connection, Innovation, and Prosperity for a Sustainable Tomorrow—builds on the Putrajaya Vision 2040 adopted five years ago, emphasizing his intent to hear insights from fellow leaders on boosting trade and investment, key pillars of that vision.

Acknowledging differing national interests, Lee said, “It is true that we may not always stand on the same side. But before our shared goal of achieving common prosperity, we can—and must—work together.”

He also pointed to the transformative power of artificial intelligence. “The technological revolution led by AI presents both unprecedented risks and opportunities,” Lee said. “Though the challenge is formidable, I believe APEC’s journey itself holds the key to navigating today’s crisis.”

Calling for candid discussion, Lee invoked the spirit of Hwabaek, an ancient council of the Silla Kingdom. “In Silla, leaders gathered in Hwabaek meetings to harmonize differing opinions, seeking a symphony of unity rather than forced conformity,” he said. “I hope that in this millennium-old city of harmony, Gyeongju, we may draw inspiration and courage to leap forward into the future.”

The summit officially opened as Lee personally welcomed all 21 APEC member leaders, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, the invited guest nation.

Lee first greeted Georgieva before receiving the leaders of Vietnam, the United States, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Russia, the Philippines, Peru, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Chile, Canada, Australia, Brunei, and the UAE. He welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping last—the incoming APEC chair—and entered the conference hall together with him.