AI, demographic challenges among key focus areas at upcoming APEC MRT meeting

MITI Minister Tengku Zafrul has affirmed Malaysia's commitment to transparent, rules-based trade amid global uncertainty, calling for deeper cooperation in AI and sustainable development.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and demographic challenges are at the heart of discussions this week as trade ministers from across the Asia Pacific convene for the 31^st APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Jeju, South Korea, from 15 to 16 May 2025.

YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry is leading the national delegation at the event, which is hosted under the theme ‘Building a sustainable tomorrow: Connect. Innovate. Prosper.’

A future-ready, inclusive Asia Pacific

The meeting, chaired by His Excellency Inkyo Cheong, South Korea's Minister for Trade, aims to address the pressing issues shaping global trade, with a strong focus on leveraging AI innovation to boost trade facilitation and navigating the demographic shifts impacting labour markets.

In line with this, Malaysia will take the opportunity to reaffirm its support for a transparent, rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This aligns closely with the three thematic pillars:

• Connectivity through the multilateral trading system
• AI Innovation for trade facilitation
• Prosperity through sustainable trade

YB Tengku Zafrul expressed Malaysia’s continued commitment to working with fellow APEC economies to drive sustainability, innovation, and openness in trade which are all key to building a resilient and future-ready Asia Pacific.

"Malaysia remains committed to working closely with the APEC economies to ensure that sustainability, innovation and open trade are reinforcing and beneficial to all economies," he said.

Supporting innovation and regional integration

Malaysia’s stance echoes the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, which calls for open and fair trade to support regional integration and inclusive growth. Its backing of AI reflects a shared goal of using innovation and digital tools to build a more resilient and peaceful Asia Pacific.

Meetings on the sidelines

Amid ongoing global uncertainty, the MRT Meeting serves as a key platform for Malaysia to strengthen regional ties and reinforce multilateral cooperation. Led by YB Tengku Zafrul, the Malaysian delegation is expected to hold bilateral discussions with key trade partners, including APEC-ASEAN trade ministers and WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

An informal ministerial meeting on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will also take place alongside the main event.