The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, on Oct. 27 began with the two-day Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting that ends on Nov. 1. Shown is Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center, a key venue for APEC. (Yonhap News)

By Jeon Misun

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, on Oct. 27 began its annual summits with the two-day Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting (CSOM), which runs until Nov. 1.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said the meeting will share with member economies the status of discussions on cooperation in artificial intelligence and responses to demographic changes, two key results that Korea is promoting at this year's APEC, as well as updates on preparation for the APEC ministerial and economic leaders' meetings.

Participants will review the annual results and future cooperation agenda of APEC subcommittees on service competitiveness, the digital economy and structural reform and report the results to the ministerial talks.

The CSOM is a forum for working-level officials from APEC's 21 member economies to review strategies for shared prosperity and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region discussed since early this year. The results will be submitted to the leaders' conference after passing through the ministerial meeting.

The ministerial meeting from Oct. 29-30 will be co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun and Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo, followed by the economic leaders' forum from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.

msjeon22@korea.kr