Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul on Dec. 9 in Seoul speaks at the welcoming dinner for the Informal Senior Officials' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Margareth Theresia

The country has held its first activity as the chair country of next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Dec. 11 said it hosted from Dec. 9-11 in Seoul the Informal Senior Officials' Meeting (ISOM), a high-level negotiating body comprising members from APEC states that holds four official meetings and one informal every year. 

As the chair country of APEC 2025, Seoul at the meeting presented key goals and proposed outcomes under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper."

APEC member states said Korea picked timely themes and priorities that could help APEC achieve its long-term goals and resolve 

global challenges such as the weakening of the multilateral trade structure, fragmentation of supply chains, worsening digital divide and climate change.

Expressing strong support and expectations for Seoul's leadership, ISOM participants pledged active cooperation for Korea's successful hosting of the APEC Summit next year.

The ministry said, "As the first event of its kind hosted by Korea as the chair country of APEC 2025, the meeting was an opportunity with all APEC member states attending to publicly announce the direction of collaboration and key agenda for raising regional economic cooperation and promoting sustainable growth in the region."

Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, will host APEC 2025.

margareth@korea.kr