Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

2025 Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 1 :
Inclusive and sustainable economic growth leaving no one behind – Building our economies; the role of trade; Financing for development and the Debt burden

At the outset, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Chair, for your dedicated efforts in preparing this Summit. It is deeply meaningful that the G20 Leaders’ Summit is being convened for the first time in South Africa, ‘the cradle of humanity’. The Republic of Korea stands ready to fully cooperate to ensure the success of this Summit.

Colleagues,
The world today faces a confluence of economic challenges, including slower growth and persistent imbalances. If we allow these disparities continue to widen, we will not be able to safeguard not only the future of our neighboring nations, but our own as well. To bridge the widening gap, ease the burden of inequality, and open the door of opportunity for all, I propose three solutions that will guide us toward a path of shared prosperity.

First, we must fundamentally transform our economic structure to ensure ‘sustained growth.’
To advance toward the future, we must strategically allocate resources toward sectors with the greatest growth potential, thereby creating a virtuous cycle that generates wealth and reduces our debt burden at the same time.

 
To this end, the Republic of Korea is pursuing the results-oriented fiscal strategy that prioritizes strategic investment in emerging sectors-particularly AI and related technologies-thereby bolstering gross domestic output while steadily reducing our long-term debt-to-GDP ratio.

However, the economies of developing countries are constrained by excessive debt burdens, limiting their capacity to invest for growth and thereby weakening the foundations for sustainable development.

 
To address the pressing challenges confronting these economies, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to enhance debt sustainability. The point that the President of the Republic of Angola also mentioned is valid.

 
In pursuit of this objective, the Republic of Korea will take an active role in advancing the G20’s diverse policy agenda, including implementing the Africa Engagement Framework.

Second, we must establish a predictable trading and investment environment to enhance growth potential.

 
The revitalization of the World Trade Organization serves the interests of all nations.

 
The Republic of Korea will actively collaborate to ensure the success of the WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-14) to be held in Africa next year.

Furthermore, the Republic of Korea will make every effort to secure the formal incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFD Agreement) – the initiative that Korea has led and advanced – as an official WTO instrument at the forthcoming Ministerial Conference.

Third, we must elevate the effectiveness of our development cooperation to accelerate growth in the developing countries.

The Republic of Korea has continuously advanced approaches to enhance development effectiveness through the Busan Global Partnership Forum.

Having led the adoption of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) Roadmap Monitoring and Reporting Framework, the Republic of Korea remains committed to actively participating in ongoing MDB reform efforts.

Going forward, the Republic of Korea will work closely with member states to ensure that developing countries enjoy greater benefits.

Colleagues,
We must stand together in solidarity to build a sustainable future.

The Republic of Korea will remain steadfast in fulfilling its responsibilities and role as a committed member state of the G20.

We will dedicate ourselves to advancing ‘inclusive growth,’ where every nation shares in opportunity, and no country is left behind.

Thank you. /END/

Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

Distinguished Economic Leaders of the APEC members,
I hope you enjoyed the Korean cuisine
and cultural performances
presented at last night’s Gala Dinner.

In line with the theme of yesterday’s performance,
today we will discuss our ‘Blueprint for a Sustainable Future.’
I trust the performance yesterday offered valuable inspiration
for our discussions.

We will now begin the Retreat Session
of the ‘32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.’

Let me introduce today’s agenda.
For decades, APEC has served as an ‘incubator of ideas,’
offering solutions to the challenges facing the global economy.

Continuing that proud tradition,
I hope we can explore creative approaches today
to address two shared challenges —
artificial intelligence (AI) and demographic change.

We, APEC members, already possess
the potential and competence
to respond proactively
to the transformation that artificial intelligence brings.

According to one study,
five of the world’s top ten economies in AI capabilities
are APEC members,
and also four of the economies
with the highest number of AI-related patents
are all APEC members.

To turn this immense potential
into a driving force for shared prosperity,
there is a call to foster a socio-economic environment
conducive to AI innovation
and strengthen public–private collaboration
to support corporate creativity.

The Republic of Korea is channeling our capacity
into building a dynamic AI innovation ecosystem
and advancing a nationwide ‘AI Transformation.’

We are expanding infrastructure
such as large-scale AI data centers, and nurturing talent,
thereby cultivating a vibrant AI industrial ecosystem.

We are also leading regulatory improvements
to ensure that global companies can innovate freely.

Above all, our guiding principle
is the creation of an ‘AI Universal Basic Society’ —
an AI ecosystem that drives inclusive growth
and ensures ‘AI for all.’

Korea’s core vision
is to help to build a ‘Global AI Universal Basic Society’
where people everywhere can benefit from technological advances.
And we will pursue this vision step-by-step
through concrete policies.

The 「APEC AI Initiative」 which Korea has proposed
reflects our firm determination
to turn the transformative force of AI
into opportunities for all.

The ‘Asia-Pacific AI Center’
which Korea is working to establish
aims to facilitate AI-related policy exchanges
and narrow AI capability gaps across the region,
ultimately strengthening overall AI capacity in the region.

In this way,
Korea will work in solidarity and cooperation with APEC members
to turn boundless innovation into shared prosperity.

Another major challenge we face is the demographic change
brought about by declining birth rates and aging populations.

According to research by the APEC Secretariat,
the population growth rate of APEC member economies
has steadily declined over the past 30 years
and is projected to turn negative-
meaning the population will start to shrink-by 2035.

The share of those aged 65 and over
has doubled in roughly three decades,
while fertility rates fell from 2.5 in 1989 to 1.3 in 2023—nearly half.

Demographic change poses a profound challenge
that affects all aspects of society—
from economic growth
and labor markets to education and welfare.
It is too serious and too far-reaching
to be resolved through partial or one-dimensional measures.

To seek a collective response at the APEC level,
Korea has proposed
the 「APEC Collaborative Framework for Demographic Changes」.

From fostering ‘inclusive growth’ for future generations
to exploring AI-based solutions to demographic change,
I look forward to working together on innovative ideas.

To respond to the significant tides
of AI and demographic change,
we must secure new engines of growth.

Korea sees the cultural and creative industries
as a key driver of future growth.

The Asia-Pacific region
already serves as a growth engine
for the cultural and creative industries,
accounting for 40 percent
of global cultural and creative industry exports in 2022.

Reflecting this momentum,
APEC hosted its first-ever ‘High-Level Dialogue
on the Cultural and Creative Industries’ this year.

The creativity and the power of exchanges inherent in culture
extend beyond economic value:
they foster and strengthen mutual understanding and solidarity
among members.

The growth of the cultural industries
will undoubtedly contribute to
the realization of this year’s APEC priorities:
‘Connect, Innovate, Prosper.’

This brings me to the agenda for today’s session.

Today, we will discuss ‘Preparing a Future-Ready Asia-Pacific.’

Together, we will explore ways
to sustain the dynamism of our region
and to create new engines for growth
amid these emerging trends—artificial intelligence,
demographic change, and the cultural and creative industries.

I invite you to share your views
on how APEC can coordinate efforts
and parts played to strengthen the capacities of all actors
spanning our economies.

I look forward to your valuable insights.
With this I conclude my Opening Remarks.

Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

Your Excellencies,
it is a great honor and pleasure to welcome you here.
We will now commence
the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Esteemed Leaders of the APEC member economies,
His Highness Khaled of the United Arab Emirates who kindly accepted the invitation,
Together with the people of the Republic of Korea,
I welcome you warmly to Gyeongju, a capital with a history of a thousand years.

2025 was historic for the Republic of Korea,
as a year in which our economy,
through the remarkable strength of our people,
restored democracy
and fully resumed its place in the global community.

It is a distinct honor for me to have the chance to chair
this APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting
at such a momentous juncture.

On every occasion
that APEC has been exemplary in realizing
the essence of ‘multilateral cooperation’
throughout its path of outstanding achievements,
the Republic of Korea has been at the forefront of that journey.

As a founding member,
Korea has played a pivotal role in the advances made by APEC,
and laid its institutional foundation
through the ‘Seoul Declaration’ in 1991.

In 2005, at the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Busan,
the ‘Busan Roadmap’ — a comprehensive implementation plan
for advancing trade liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region—
was adopted.

The more connected and the more open we are,,
the further APEC members have moved along
on the road to prosperity.

Since the establishment of APEC,
the combined GDP of its members has increased fivefold,
and trade volume tenfold.
On this solid basis of shared prosperity,
the Republic of Korea has also truly emerged
as a strong economic power.

I trust that the APEC spirit —
one that has well proven the power of cooperation,
solidarity, and mutual trust —
will be fully demonstrated here in Gyeongju as well.

And yet, the reality we face
does not permit us to depend upon simply a rosy outlook.
We stand together at a pivotal juncture,
as the global order
undergoes profound upheaval and rapid shifts.
The free trade order is undergoing a significant change.

There is deepening uncertainty in the global economy,
and the efforts for trade and investment facilitation
are losing momentum.

The technological revolution,
exemplified by artificial intelligence,
while bringing about unprecedented challenges,
yet at the same time opens unprecedented opportunities.

Although the road ahead may not be easy,
I believe the key to overcoming the challenges
lies in APEC’s own history.
Cooperation and solidarity
are the only sure avenues that can lead us to a better future.

Given our own respective perspectives,
clearly we cannot always see things in the same way.
However, in the pursuit towards our ultimate goal of
achieving shared prosperity through our collective efforts,
we can surely move forward together.

The theme of this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting —
‘Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper’ —
carries forward the spirit of the Putrajaya Vision 2040,
the blueprint for the future of APEC
that we adopted five years ago.

In this session,
I look forward to hearing your valuable insights
on one of the core pillars of the Putrajaya Vision —
advancing ‘trade and investment.’
In the face of new challenges
arising from the rapidly changing global economic environment,
I look forward to sincere and open dialogue
and constructive discussions
on how we can further advance the vision embraced by APEC.

Distinguished Economic Leaders,
the venue for our discussions
over the next two days is
the ‘Hwabaek International Convention Center’.

In the ancient Silla Kingdom,
whenever matters of real importance arose,
the ‘Hwabaek Council’,
in which views were coordinated among those assembled,
was convened.

The approach of ‘Hwabaek’
does not demand uniformity of thought.
Rather, it seeks to achieve a symphony of harmony
among diverse voices,
pursuing an approach of balance
in which all can flourish together.

Here in Gyeongju,
a capital with a history of a thousand years
which achieved prosperity by embracing harmony and unity,
I trust we will muster the inspiration and resolve
to move forward with confidence together to meet the future.

This concludes my Opening Remarks.

Source: Government of Singapore

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee arrived in Beijing this morning and began his visit programme by calling on the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the State Council’s State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission.

Mr Lee first met CAAC Administrator Song Zhiyong to exchange views on deepening co-operation in civil aviation.

The Chief Executive noted that Hong Kong is an international aviation hub, connecting to more than 200 destinations worldwide. Last year, traffic volume reached 61 million passenger trips, while yearly cargo throughput reached 5.07 million tonnes.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been named the busiest cargo airport in the world 14 times since 2010. With the full commissioning of the Three-Runway System and the new passenger departure facilities at HKIA’s Terminal 2 coming into operation this year, new momentum will be injected into Hong Kong’s aviation development.

Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to seize new opportunities, continue to reinforce Hong Kong’s top global ranking in cargo throughput and its advantages as a transit hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), accelerate the expansion of Hong Kong’s aviation network, and develop Hong Kong into the first aircraft parts processing and trading centre in Asia, further enhancing the city’s competitiveness as an international aviation hub.

He expressed hoped that the Hong Kong SAR Government and the CAAC would deepen co-operation and promote the complementarity of the airport cluster in the GBA, jointly contributing to the country’s goal of building a strong civil aviation sector.

Mr Lee then met SASAC Chairman Zhang Yuzhuo to exchange views on strengthening co-operation.

He said that the Hong Kong SAR Government is actively promoting Hong Kong’s development into an international gold trading centre, welcoming state-owned enterprises to participate in gold trading and the construction of related industrial chains in Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive encouraged them to capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths as a platform for fundraising and financing, professional services, risk management and a corporate treasury centre to develop and strengthen their international businesses, thereby contributing to the country’s high-quality financial development.

Mr Lee pointed out that the Northern Metropolis serves as a new engine driving Hong Kong’s future development, boasting significant development potential and economic value.

He thanked the SASAC for its support for the Hong Kong SAR Government in driving the full-speed development of the NM, and encouraged state-owned enterprises to participate in large-scale land disposal in the metropolis and establish a presence in the Hetao Hong Kong Park to develop innovation and technology industries, jointly developing new quality productive forces.

Mr Lee also expressed confidence that more state-owned enterprises would tap into opportunities in the metropolis, making good use of Hong Kong’s role under the “one country, two systems” principle in connecting with both the Mainland and the world and leveraging Hong Kong as a springboard to explore overseas markets, achieving complementarity and mutual benefits.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region