The U.S. Department of State has announced that Ambassador Matt Murray, Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), will travel to Gyeongju and Seoul, South Korea, from March 5 to March 11 to participate in the First Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) and related meetings under South Korea’s APEC 2025 host year.
During his visit, Ambassador Murray and the U.S. APEC delegation will engage in high-level discussions aimed at advancing economic policies that enhance America’s security, economic resilience, and global competitiveness. These meetings will focus on fostering inclusive growth, enhancing trade cooperation, and addressing key challenges affecting the Indo-Pacific region.
Ambassador Murray will collaborate with senior South Korean officials, business leaders, and regional stakeholders to align U.S. economic priorities with South Korea’s objectives as the APEC 2025 host. The discussions will emphasize supply chain resilience, digital trade, clean energy transition, and economic sustainability, reflecting the Biden administration’s broader strategy for economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
The First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting serves as a critical platform for setting the stage for APEC Leaders’ Week 2025, where heads of state from 21 member economies will convene to strengthen regional economic cooperation. The U.S. delegation aims to reinforce multilateral partnerships that promote stability, economic opportunity, and innovation.