Trade and foreign ministers from the 21 APEC member economies reaffirmed their shared commitment to safeguard sustainable and inclusive growth across the Asia-Pacific during the APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) held on October 29–30, 2025.
Convened ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), the AMM carried the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow Together,” underscoring this year’s priorities under the Republic of Korea’s chairmanship—Connect, Innovate, and Prosper.
Ministers recognized the profound structural and technological transformations reshaping the global economy, emphasizing the need for deeper cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital trade, and green innovation to drive sustainable growth.
Representing the Philippines, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty co-led the delegation as the country’s Foreign Minister and Alternate Minister Responsible for Trade, respectively.
Speaking on behalf of DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, Undersecretary Gepty underscored the importance of resilient and innovative supply chains in ensuring regional stability and inclusive prosperity.
“Building resilient supply chains is now a prerequisite for stability, security, and inclusive growth,” Gepty said. “The Philippines supports APEC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience through innovation, promote trusted and interoperable digital ecosystems, and revitalize the multilateral trading system.”
The AMM, which concludes the series of sectoral ministerial meetings held throughout the APEC year, sets the tone for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting to be attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on October 31 and November 1.
As APEC 2025 Chair, Korea is spearheading efforts to deliver key outcomes, particularly in developing frameworks on artificial intelligence governance and demographic change to ensure the region’s long-term competitiveness and social resilience.
For the Philippines, the AMM discussions resonate strongly with the government’s drive to advance digital transformation, inclusive trade, and innovation-led growth. Strengthening regional collaboration in these areas is expected to open new pathways for Filipino enterprises, workers, and communities to thrive in the evolving Asia-Pacific economy.