Organizer: Singapore APEC Study Centre at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute
Type/Location: Hybrid / Singapore
Description:
The Republic of Korea is hosting the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Its theme of “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” focuses on three key priorities: Connect, Innovate and Prosper. The region is at a critical juncture where it has to navigate complex challenges, including supply chain disruptions, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on jobs and industries and changes in the demographic landscape. APEC member economies are expected to join forces to enhance regional connectivity and accelerate this transition.
This seminar will examine APEC 2025 priorities and highlight key findings from the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council’s (PECC) State of the Region Report 2024-2025. It will also discuss geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism and climate change’s impact on the region. Additionally, it will look at the implications of Trump’s tariff policies for APEC in terms of supply chains and tensions with other APEC economies, particularly that of China.
About the Speakers:
Eduardo Pedrosa is the Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. Prior to this, he was the Secretary General of PECC and the coordinator of PECC’s State of the Region report. Mr Pedrosa works on a diverse range of issues including trade, finance, digitalisation, climate change and structural reforms.
Dr. Kaewkamol (Karen) Pitakdumrongkit is the Interim Secretary General of the PECC International Secretariat. Dr Pitakdumrongkit previously served as Head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies and Deputy Head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
Stephen Olson is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and a Non-Resident Fellow and Visiting Lecturer at the Yeutter Institute of International Trade. Olson is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Futures Council on Trade and serves as Adjunct Professor at the George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government.
Registration Links:
To attend the event in person, please register here.
To attend the event online, please register here.