Senior officials from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies are striving to find common ground on trade and economic cooperation as they wrapped up two days of talks in Gyeongju, South Korea, ahead of the annual leaders’ summit.

The Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM) concluded Tuesday with discussions focused on boosting trade, digital transformation, and inclusive growth, according to South Korea’s APEC Organising Committee. The meeting’s recommendations will be presented to the ministerial session on Wednesday and finalized at the leaders’ summit scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Yonhap News Agency reported.

As this year’s APEC chair, South Korea is seeking to build consensus for a joint declaration emphasizing sustainable economic development under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.” The proposed declaration covers trade liberalization, digital innovation, and regional cooperation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and demographic adaptation.

A central challenge remains the wording on free trade, which has divided member economies amid a global rise in protectionist policies. Historically, APEC declarations have reaffirmed support for a rules-based multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Between 2021 and 2024, summit communiqués included the phrase “WTO at its core,” highlighting shared commitment to open trade following shifts in global trade policy after former US President Donald Trump’s first term.

Consensus is vital for any APEC leader’s declaration, as the document requires unanimous approval from all 21 member economies. “The CSOM officials reaffirmed their collective commitment to concluding discussions on the final summit document to achieve meaningful results,” South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Delegates also reviewed a new APEC road map aimed at strengthening regulatory frameworks, digital platforms, and creative economies, while promoting food and energy security. Other agenda items included social protection strategies and measures to tackle climate change and geopolitical instability affecting long-term regional stability.

The Gyeongju meetings set the stage for what could be a pivotal APEC summit, as member nations seek to balance economic resilience, digital innovation, and sustainability in a rapidly changing global environment.