Continuing Momentum From ASEAN Summit Success, PM Anwar To Undertake Working Visit To AELM In Gyeongju

From Nor Baizura Basri

GYEONGJU (South Korea), Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a working visit to Gyeongju, South Korea, this Thursday as he leads Malaysia’s delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), which will begin this Friday.

Malaysian Ambassador to South Korea Datuk Mohd Zamruni Khalid said Anwar will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Haji Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, as well as senior government officials.

He said the Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver Malaysia’s interventions during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Dialogue with Guests on Oct 31 (Friday) and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat on Nov 1, highlighting national policies and achievements, and championing the shared priorities of the Global South.

“On Friday, among others, the Prime Minister will emphasise the importance of inclusivity in strengthening supply chains, digital economic development, and regional cooperation for sustainable growth in his statement on behalf of Malaysia.

“The following day, during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat on Saturday themed ‘Preparing a Future-Ready Asia-Pacific’, the Prime Minister will outline Malaysia’s policy framework for digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, ASEAN-level AI initiatives, the enhancement of the national creative industry, and strategic measures to address demographic changes,” he told Malaysian media in an online press conference on Tuesday.

Mohd Zamruni said Anwar will also hold a dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council on Oct 31, as well as bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other APEC economies.

Apart from that, he said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, will meet with key South Korean companies as part of efforts to explore further business, trade, and investment prospects on the sidelines of the AELM.

“I’m sure that the Prime Minister will carry this momentum forward, as we have just successfully concluded the ASEAN Summit and related meetings. With that success, we are confident it will carry through to the AELM, and we hope that intra-APEC trade agreements will also see progress.

“As I mentioned, the Gyeongju Declaration will be adopted, along with three other documents. We hope that with these, this year’s APEC will also be considered a success,” said Mohd Zamruni when asked whether the success of the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings would continue at the AELM.

He added that the essence of the declaration, which is expected to be approved by all APEC Leaders, includes the importance of connectivity in strengthening regional economic and trade integration; the interconnectedness of resilient supply chains; the benefits of innovation, digital transformation, and AI; as well as addressing regional challenges in achieving sustainable development.

Mohd Zamruni also said APEC Leaders are expected to approve three additional documents as a strategic direction for APEC in addressing current developments — namely the APEC AI Initiative, the Collaborative Framework for Demographic Changes, and the Leaders’ Statement on Cooperation in the Cultural and Creative Industry.

He said Malaysia has been a founding member of APEC since 1989, with APEC economies contributing 78 per cent of Malaysia’s total trade in 2023, amounting to RM2.6 trillion.

Throughout the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW), discussions will revolve around the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” and focus on the key priorities of “Connect, Innovate and Prosper”.

This year’s distinguished gathering marks 20 years since the republic last hosted the AELM in 2005 in Busan.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will chair the AELM and lead discussions on promoting trade and investment amid rising global uncertainties, fostering public–private collaboration for economic prosperity, and leveraging emerging trends as new drivers of growth.

APEC, a non-binding forum, represents 21 member economies that collectively account for nearly 60 per cent of global gross domestic product and 47 per cent of world trade.

Gyeongju, nicknamed “the museum without walls”, is home to numerous historical sites, some designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and has been chosen to host this year’s gathering of Asia-Pacific economies.

-- BERNAMA