On 7 - 9 March 2025, Miss Rujikorn Saengchantr, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs and Thailand's APEC Senior Official, attended the First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (APEC SOM1/2025) and related meetings held in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect. Innovate. Prosper.”

Member economies exchanged views on APEC 2025’s key priorities, focusing on new perspectives for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), and addressing demographic changes, which present both challenges and opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region.

Thailand underscored its support for AI cooperation, particularly in AI ethics and strengthening digital skills, while emphasizing the need to address ageing societies, including health-related aspects and the reskilling and upskilling of the older population to integrate them into future industries.

On this occasion, Thailand continued to advance the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, and encouraged member economies to nominate representatives for the 2025 APEC BCG Award in three categories: Women, MSMEs, and Youth. Nominations are open from 1 March to 20 June 2025. The said initiative led by Thailand has gained positive feedback from APEC member economies over the past two years.

In addition to the SOM meetings, Thailand’s SOM also had bilateral meetings with the APEC 2025 SOM Chair, as well as SOMs from Japan, the United States, and China, to exchange views on priorities and expectations for APEC 2025.