APEC Women and the Economy Forum to Be Held in Korea for the First Time Amid Ministerial Vacancy

Ministerial Delegations from 21 Countries to Attend
Discussion on Expanding Women's Economic Participation and Global Cooperation
Vice Minister Shin Youngsook to Chair the Forum

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy Forum (WEF), attended by ministerial-level delegations from 21 countries around the world, will be held in Songdo, Incheon on August 12. This is the first time since the forum's inception in 2011 that Korea has become the chair country of the APEC Women and the Economy Forum. As the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been without a minister for one year and six months, this large-scale international event will be conducted under the acting minister system.

According to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on August 11, the 2025 APEC Women and the Economy Forum will address the theme of "Expanding Women's Economic Participation for Sustainable Growth." In connection with this year's APEC priorities of "Connectivity, Innovation, and Prosperity," the forum will focus on: strengthening global responses to create a society safe from gender-based violence; enhancing women's capabilities and promoting their economic participation in the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors; and building a sustainable future by reinforcing care systems in response to demographic changes.

During the morning "Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy (PPDWE)," experts from academia, civil society, and the private sector will discuss international challenges related to expanding women's economic participation. The session on "Strengthening Care Systems and Work-Life Balance in Response to Demographic Changes" will be chaired by Asa Torkelsson, Head of the UNFPA Seoul Office, who will lead discussions on public-private cooperation strategies to promote a culture of work-life balance. In the subsequent session on "Promoting Women's Economic Participation in Response to Advances in Digital and AI Technologies," Geumjoo Heo, President of the International Women's Forum (IWF) Korea Chapter, will chair discussions sharing concrete policies and case studies on women's economic participation in the digital environment and efforts to close gender gaps.

In the afternoon "High-Level Policy Dialogue on Women and the Economy (HLPDWE)," chief representatives of member countries will present policy achievements and future strategies related to this year's key agenda items. Korea, in its presentation on "Expanding Women's Participation in Economic Activities Amid Demographic Changes and Digital Transformation," will introduce the vocational training programs of the "Women’s New Employment Centers" to support women's entry into advanced technology sectors. In addition, Korea will present policies such as the "Childcare Service," the introduction of a national qualification system for childcare workers, and a registration system for private care institutions to address gaps in care in the context of a low birthrate and aging society. The country will also share strengthened legal frameworks and 24-hour victim support services for responding to gender-based violence, as well as the expansion of the Digital Sex Crime Response Center.

Meanwhile, the APEC Women and the Economy Forum is a venue where women policy leaders from member economies gather to discuss Asia-Pacific regional women's issues and explore international cooperation. With Korea set to host the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju this October, it will also chair the APEC Women and the Economy Forum for the first time since 2011. Traditionally, the minister of the chair country welcomes the member delegations, but as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been without a minister for one year and six months?and with the previous nominee, Kang Sunwoo, having withdrawn due to controversy?this year's forum, attended by more than 120 ministerial-level chief representatives from APEC member economies including Japan and Indonesia, will be chaired by Vice Minister Shin Youngsook, who is serving as acting minister. A ministry official stated, "The event will proceed smoothly under Vice Minister Shin's leadership."