TLDR: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, alongside over 1,700 global business and economic leaders, is set to attend the 2025 APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 28-31. The summit will focus on critical global issues, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital transformation, with an anticipated economic impact of 7.4 trillion won ($5.2 billion) and the creation of 22,000 new jobs.
The 2025 APEC CEO Summit, scheduled to take place in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, South Korea, from October 28 to 31, is poised to be a landmark gathering of global business and economic powerhouses. Hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), with Chairman Chey Tae-won serving as the summit chair, the event is Korea’s largest-ever private economic forum, held in conjunction with the annual APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. This marks the first time in 20 years that Korea has hosted the summit since Busan in 2005.
More than 1,700 global business leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, are confirmed to attend. Huang’s participation is highly anticipated, as he is expected to share Nvidia’s vision on the future of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, digital twins, and autonomous driving. Industry observers speculate that Huang may hold separate meetings with top Korean executives, including Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and leaders from SK Hynix, to discuss potential collaborations in the burgeoning AI chip sector.
Beyond Huang, a formidable roster of speakers and attendees includes Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS); Simon Kahn, Vice President of Google APAC; Simon Milner, Vice President of Meta; Antony Cook and Ulrich Homann, Vice Presidents of Microsoft; Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup; Joaquin Duato, CEO of Johnson & Johnson; Daniel Pinto, Vice Chairman of JPMorgan; and leaders from major global corporations in finance, manufacturing, and energy. Additionally, high-profile figures from international organizations such as Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), will also participate.
The summit’s overarching theme, “3B: Bridge, Business, Beyond,” will guide discussions across 20 sessions featuring over 85 speakers and more than 19 hours of dialogue. Key topics on the agenda include regional economic integration, AI and digital transformation, sustainability, finance and investment, and the bio-healthcare industry. Specific focus areas will encompass AI ethics, investing for environmental-social-governance (ESG) actions, and strategies to overcome the digital gap.
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The KCCI projects that the summit will generate significant economic value, estimated at 7.4 trillion won ($5.2 billion), and create approximately 22,000 new jobs. On the sidelines of the main event, Korea will showcase its industrial strength and cultural diplomacy through various programs. These include the “Future-Tech Forum,” covering AI, defense, shipbuilding, digital assets, energy, and retail; the “K-Tech Innovation Showcase” to promote new technologies; the “Taste APEC: Wine & Liquor Fair”; a “K-beauty Pavilion” and wellness zone; and art exhibitions. These initiatives aim to transform global challenges into tangible business opportunities for Korean companies and enhance Korea’s global reputation in the era of AI.
