South Korea, hosting the 2025 APEC Summit in the historic city of Gyeongju, has played a key role in guiding discussions among the 21 member economies that together account for half of global trade and over 60 percent of the world’s GDP.

The atmosphere at this year’s summit has been notably constructive, with leaders and ministers emphasizing mutual understanding, economic stability, and the shared goal of maintaining open and fair trade systems.

During a press briefing, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expressed optimism about the progress being made in finalizing the joint declaration.

“We are very close to reaching a consensus,” Cho said, noting that talks on both the ministerial statement and the leaders’ declaration have been productive and forward-looking.

He added that South Korea is confident the agreements will reflect a shared commitment to cooperation, inclusivity, and sustainable economic development.

The summit’s discussions have revolved around key global challenges, including the need to rebuild trust in multilateral trade systems, stabilize global supply chains, and address the economic impact of protectionist trends.

Despite differing national interests, most APEC members have agreed on the importance of strengthening multilateralism and maintaining open channels for trade and investment.

South Korea’s Minister for Trade, Yeo Han-koo, highlighted that the nation supports a global system based on fairness and inclusivity.

“It is in line with our interest for the world’s leading economies to find balance and stabilize supply chains and trade relationships,” Yeo said, referring to the significance of strong ties between the United States, China, and other Asia-Pacific partners.

This year’s summit also emphasized innovation, digital transformation, and green growth as essential pillars for the region’s future prosperity. South Korea, known for its technological leadership, has encouraged other member economies to embrace digitalization as a pathway toward resilient and diversified trade.

Discussions also touched upon the need for regional cooperation in areas such as clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive development, ensuring that smaller and developing economies can benefit from the shared growth of the Asia-Pacific region.

The APEC forum has faced challenges in recent years, including rising trade tensions and disruptions to global supply chains. However, this year’s summit has demonstrated a renewed spirit of collaboration.

Member countries expressed a collective determination to restore confidence in multilateral cooperation and ensure that global economic policies promote mutual benefit rather than division.

Foreign Minister Cho emphasized that tariffs and trade barriers were not the only obstacles to global growth. “We are facing complex challenges in global value chains, technological transitions, and equitable access to resources,” he said.

“APEC has an opportunity to address these challenges collectively and establish a roadmap that benefits all its members.”

South Korea’s hosting of the APEC Summit has been widely viewed as a diplomatic success, reflecting its growing leadership role in fostering regional stability and dialogue.

The event also provided opportunities for bilateral meetings, where leaders discussed initiatives in trade, energy, innovation, and infrastructure.

While some high-profile leaders departed before the final day, the momentum of the summit continued under South Korea’s careful facilitation.

The country’s emphasis on balance, inclusivity, and pragmatic cooperation helped maintain a positive tone and encouraged nations to align their economic strategies for shared progress.

As the summit concludes, expectations are high that APEC’s forthcoming joint declaration will reaffirm the members’ commitment to an open, rules-based international trading system and sustainable economic development.

It is seen as a strong step toward restoring confidence in regional partnerships and ensuring that the Asia-Pacific remains a driver of global growth and innovation.

Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program, the event highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing technology, services, and innovation in the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem.

The conference promises a comprehensive program featuring more than 80 sessions and 60 workshops, providing a platform for academics, researchers, and representatives from Hajj affairs offices and diplomatic missions worldwide.

Over 2,400 trainees from across the globe are expected to attend, reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to sharing expertise, best practices, and modern solutions that enhance the pilgrim experience.

More than 260 exhibitors from 137 countries will participate, showcasing the latest technologies, services, and innovations designed to support pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah.

Exhibitions will include advancements in urban development, smart services, crowd management, health and safety, and digital platforms that streamline pilgrim logistics.

By bringing together diverse participants, the conference encourages collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the adoption of modern solutions tailored to the needs of millions of pilgrims visiting Makkah each year.

High-impact initiatives are expected to be launched during the event, with officials signing new agreements to strengthen the integration of technology, infrastructure, and services for pilgrims.

These initiatives aim to create a seamless, safe, and comfortable experience for visitors, leveraging cutting-edge tools such as artificial intelligence, smart applications, and innovative service delivery models.

The conference underscores Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to modernizing the Hajj and Umrah experience while preserving the spiritual and cultural significance of these sacred journeys.

On Monday, Makkah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz met with Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah in Jeddah to review preparations for the conference and assess pilgrim services.

Discussions focused on ensuring that all logistical, technological, and service-oriented aspects of the event are executed efficiently, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to excellence in managing the world’s largest annual religious gathering.

The Hajj Conference and Exhibition serves as a unique platform for public and private sector collaboration, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s vision for sustainable development and innovative service delivery.

By uniting stakeholders from government institutions, technology companies, research organizations, and international delegations, the event fosters partnerships that will shape the future of pilgrim services.

The conference will also focus on enhancing the training and development of personnel involved in Hajj and Umrah operations. Through specialized workshops and interactive sessions, participants will gain valuable insights into modern service practices, crowd management strategies, emergency preparedness, and the application of new technologies.

This focus on human capacity building ensures that Saudi Arabia continues to set global standards for safe, efficient, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrim experiences.

Moreover, the event emphasizes the Kingdom’s role as a global hub for religious tourism innovation. By promoting technological solutions, sustainable practices, and advanced services, the Hajj Conference contributes to creating a more organized, safe, and enjoyable experience for millions of pilgrims.

It also highlights Saudi Arabia’s leadership in combining heritage, culture, and innovation to meet the evolving needs of the global Muslim community.

With the fifth Hajj Conference and Exhibition, Jeddah is positioned to become a center of innovation, learning, and collaboration for the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem.

The event not only showcases the Kingdom’s achievements in technology and service integration but also reinforces its vision of providing world-class pilgrim experiences while supporting global cooperation, knowledge sharing, and sustainable development in religious tourism.

Anchored in Al-Ahsa, home to the world’s largest date palm oasis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the initiative blends heritage with innovation, positioning Saudi palm weaving as a platform for contemporary art, design, and international collaboration.

Palm weaving, locally known as khoos, has been a vital part of Saudi life for generations, producing functional objects such as baskets and mats. The Khoos Initiative reimagines this craft for the 21st century, transforming it from a traditional practice into a source of artistic and design inspiration. Artisans collaborate with designers, architects, and creatives from around the world to explore new forms while retaining the craft’s cultural roots.

Ala’a Al-Qahtani, creative programs specialist at Ithra, explained that the program moves palm weaving beyond practical objects into art, fashion, and architecture. “The goal is not only to preserve heritage but to evolve it into a space where tradition meets innovation,” Al-Qahtani said.

The initiative emphasizes cross-generational collaboration, with women artisans providing deep knowledge of traditional techniques and young creatives bringing fresh perspectives, ensuring the craft remains vibrant and relevant.

Al-Ahsa’s cultural and historical significance anchors the program. As the heart of Saudi palm weaving, it provides a strong local foundation while offering a gateway to global recognition.

The Khoos Initiative presents Saudi heritage to the world, highlighting the shared legacy of palm crafts across regions and cultures. Al-Qahtani noted that the initiative acts as a “cultural bridge, strengthening both local identity and global understanding.”

Maintaining authenticity while embracing innovation was a key challenge. The initiative addresses this by pairing traditional artisans with contemporary designers in signature commissions and residency programs. This collaboration safeguards centuries of knowledge while introducing new creative expressions suitable for fashion, design, and architecture.

The result is a dynamic exchange of skills and ideas that celebrates both history and modernity.

The Khoos Initiative also aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, supporting the growth of the creative economy and cultural diplomacy. By transforming traditional craft into a driver for innovation, education, and economic opportunity, the program strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position on the international cultural stage.

Through exhibitions like “The Palm Tree Exhibition” at Ithra, as well as presentations at UNESCO’s MONDIACULT 2025 in Barcelona and the ICOM General Conference in Dubai, the initiative showcases Saudi craftsmanship to a global audience.

Women’s involvement remains central to the initiative, reflecting their historical role in preserving palm weaving. At the same time, younger generations contribute energy and creativity, pushing the boundaries of traditional craft into modern contexts. This inclusive approach ensures that khoos is not just a preserved memory but a living, evolving art form with international relevance.

By linking heritage to contemporary design, education, and global collaboration, the Khoos Initiative positions Saudi palm weaving as both a cultural treasure and a source of innovation. Through this initiative, a craft once confined to local oases now thrives as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s creativity, bridging tradition and modernity for the world to experience.