Introduction to APEC and Its Significance

Thousands of officials from across the Asia-Pacific are set to gather in Korea’s port city of Incheon this month for high-level discussions on pressing regional issues, including artificial intelligence and food security, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this fall. The upcoming Third Senior Officials’ Meeting, or SOM3, will serve as a critical milestone leading up to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled to take place on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang.

What is APEC?

APEC, one of the longest-running economic forums in the Asia-Pacific region, convenes leaders from 21 member economies annually to promote trade, investment, and regional cooperation. This year’s third Senior Officials’ Meeting, along with a series of related ministerial-level meetings, will take place from July 26 to Aug. 15 in Incheon. The Incheon Metropolitan Government estimates the event will draw up to 5,000 participants.

Meetings and Discussions

Over the three-week period, the city will host a range of high-level gatherings, including dialogues on anticorruption efforts, digital governance and artificial intelligence, food security, and women’s economic empowerment. The SOM3 will also serve as the final opportunity for senior officials to refine the summit agenda before the October meeting of APEC leaders. The first and second rounds of senior officials’ meetings were held earlier this year in Gyeongju and Jeju, respectively.

APEC in Incheon

Incheon, Korea’s third-largest city, is well-equipped to host large-scale international gatherings, being home to 15 international organizations and the country’s busiest air hub, Incheon International Airport. The city also holds historical importance as the site of the Incheon Landing during the 1950-53 Korean War. In addition to its bustling port, Incheon houses Korea’s first and largest free economic zone — the Incheon Free Economic Zone, or IFEZ — which comprises the Songdo, Yeongjongdo, and Cheongna districts, designed to attract foreign investment.

Incheon’s Moment on the Map

Beginning Saturday, Incheon will host SOM3 through Aug. 15. As the longest and largest of this year’s SOMs, it is expected to attract the biggest turnout. Incheon has also positioned itself as a bridge to the Korean diaspora, establishing the Overseas Koreans Agency in 2023 with the goal of connecting with Korea’s seven million overseas nationals.

Benefits for Incheon

Professor Kim Dong-won of Incheon National University’s Department of Public Administration noted that the APEC meeting will deliver both short- and long-term benefits to the city. “Long-term outcomes like enhancing the city brand are expected, in addition to direct effects on the regional economy such as boosts in tourism, accommodation, and meetings,” he wrote.

Three Weeks of High-Level Diplomacy

Throughout the SOM3 period, Incheon will host major meetings at Songdo Convensia, a five-story convention center featuring a 17,021-square-meter (4.2 acres) exhibition hall. These include the APEC High-Level Dialogue on Anti-Corruption Cooperation from July 31 to Aug. 1, the Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting from Aug. 4 to 6, the Food Security Ministerial Meeting from Aug. 9 to 10, the Women and the Economy Forum on Aug. 12, and the concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting from Aug. 14 to 15.

Global Exposure

Incheon is hosting six of the 14 ministerial-level meetings in total, underscoring its central role in Korea’s APEC chairmanship. Following SOM3, the city will again welcome delegates for two more ministerial meetings: the Finance Ministerial Meeting from Oct. 21 to 22 and the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting from Oct. 21 to 23, both of which will take place at the Inspire Entertainment Resort in Yeongjongdo.

Conclusion

The 2025 APEC summit carries significant weight for Korea, as it marks the first major international event hosted under the administration of President Lee Jae Myung. With Incheon playing a central role in hosting various meetings, the city is poised to elevate its global standing and contribute to the success of the APEC summit. As Director Kim Young-shin of Incheon’s International Cooperation Bureau noted, “SOM3 is widely considered a precursor that determines the success of the APEC summit.” The event is expected to generate around 40.9 billion won ($30 million) in economic benefits for the city, making it a pivotal moment for Incheon and Korea’s engagement with the Asia-Pacific region.