Shaping the Future through Culture: Building an Inclusive and Resilient APEC

Abstract

As the Asia-Pacific region seeks to chart a path toward inclusive and sustainable growth, culture and creative industries (CCIs) have emerged as strategic assets for innovation, employment, and community resilience. This paper proposes the institutionalization of cultural cooperation within APEC through the 2025 Cultural High-Level Dialogue (CHLD) in Gyeongju, Korea. Drawing on global best practices and regional initiatives, from Korea’s K-content to Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency and Chile’s Startup Cultura, the paper argues that CCIs are key drivers of youth employment, digital transformation, and cultural inclusion. The proposed Gyeongju Dialogue serves as a pilot for embedding culture into APEC’s Eco/Tech track, leveraging synergies with existing fora such as PPWE, HRDWG, TELWG, and DESG. Through a phased roadmap, the paper recommends the formation of a recurring APEC cultural platform, adoption of a ministerial statement, and creation of a knowledge-sharing network, potentially branded as the “Gyeongju Forum.” This cultural initiative aligns with APEC’s 2025 theme, Empower. Include. Sustain, by demonstrating that regional prosperity must be rooted not only in technology and trade, but also in identity, creativity, and shared values.