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Advancing AI Standards to Support Innovation and Trade
Issued by the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and ConformanceRegulators and trade officials from APEC member economies are working to advance cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) standards to support interoperability, regulatory alignment and responsible development across the region.
As AI technologies continue to transform industries and societies, discussions at the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance meeting in Gyeongju last week focused on promoting recognition of AI-related standards to facilitate trade and ensure transparency in the digital economy.
Dr Byung Goo Kang, Chair of the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in AI standardization, noting that technical alignment can enhance trust in AI systems while reducing regulatory complexity for businesses.
The meeting laid the groundwork for the APEC AI Standards Forum Conference, to be held in August this year, aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation among APEC economies to share information on international standardization, regulatory frameworks and certification systems in AI.
“AI is revolutionizing industries around the world, and with the accelerating development of the technology, standards and conformance assessments to ensure reliability and interoperability are becoming increasingly important,” said Dr Kang.
“At the APEC AI Standards Forum Conference, we will exchange knowledge and best practices on AI standardization, discuss ways to improve interoperability, and build a network of AI-related experts to promote the safe and responsible development of AI,” Dr Kang added.
Members are also strengthening cooperation to develop the next generation of experts in standards and conformance, recognizing the critical role of technical expertise in facilitating trade and regulatory alignment.
A panel discussion at the meeting explored strategies to enhance training programs, institutional support, and international collaboration on capacity-building initiatives. Member economies shared approaches to integrating standardization education into professional development programs.
“As standardization is key to international trade, training and empowering the next generation of professionals is critical to the continued development of standards and conformity assessment. Therefore, enhanced cooperation among APEC economies is essential,” Dr Kang explained.
With businesses and regulators facing evolving market demands, members discussed the importance of harmonizing digital conformity assessment procedures and expanding e-certification to reduce administrative burdens. Strengthening cooperation on digital standards certification among APEC economies will enhance interoperability, improve efficiency, and support trade facilitation.
Discussions at the meeting also emphasized the need to expand Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and explore the impact of digital transformation on standards development. Efforts will focus on enhancing cross-border recognition of conformity assessment systems and aligning digital standards with global frameworks.
Members reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that digital certification systems are consistent with WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreements to promote regulatory coherence.
Members also intensified cooperation on sustainable energy standards to facilitate the transition to low-carbon technologies and renewable energy adoption. They explored ways to align renewable energy standards, expand carbon reduction initiatives, and enhance certification frameworks for clean energy technologies.
Additionally, members highlighted opportunities for greater collaboration with international standardization organizations, such as ISO and IEC, to support the development of global best practices for energy efficiency and sustainability.
“The APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance’s efforts have been instrumental in driving domestic regulatory development. It has played an important role in promoting economic growth and alignment with international standards,” Dr Kang said.
“Now, we need to continue working together to advance AI standardization, digital certification, and sustainable energy standards so that we can build a more resilient and innovative APEC region that supports businesses, consumers, and economies alike,” Dr Kang concluded.
Charting a Path to a Future Powered by Carbon-Free Energy Technologies
Issued by the APEC Energy Working Group
In response to escalating energy demands and persistent reliance on fossil fuels, APEC economies addressed the urgent need for a transformative approach to clean electricity generation.
In a policy dialogue held in Gyeongju, Korea, last week, policymakers, researchers and industry experts explored how a diversified mix of carbon-free energy technologies could mitigate environmental risks and bolster regional energy resilience.
Carbon-free energy (CFE) technologies refer to a suite of technologies that generate electricity with zero or minimal carbon emissions. These include nuclear power, hydrogen and ammonia fuels, carbon capture and storage, and advanced energy storage systems. For Korea and other APEC economies, CFE is critical not only for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also for ensuring a stable and dispatchable power supply amid growing electricity demand.
"APEC’s collective energy challenges call for a unified and forward-looking strategy. By embracing a diverse range of carbon-free energy technologies, we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and secure a reliable, resilient power supply that supports sustainable economic growth,” said Weiguo Shan, lead shepherd of the APEC Energy Working Group.
“This dialogue underscores our commitment to developing pragmatic, data-driven policies that benefit all member economies and set a clear path for a cleaner, more secure energy future."
Data presented by Dr Kazutomo Irie of the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre highlighted both progress and persistent challenges in reducing carbon dioxide emission in the region. Between 2010 and 2022, APEC economies increased the share of modern renewables in final energy consumption by 75.6 percent and in power generation by 63.4 percent. Despite these gains, carbon dioxide emissions from power generation continued to rise, as carbon-emitting sources produced nearly twice as much electricity in 2022 compared to carbon-free sources, underscoring the need for a broader mix of low-carbon, dispatchable technologies.
“While there are multiple pathways to contribute to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing clean electricity within the energy sector remains a central priority,” said Eekno Jo, Director General for Energy Policy of Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in his opening remarks at the dialogue. “To accelerate these energy transitions, we need to continue our endeavour to deploy and scale up carbon-free energy technologies,”
During the dialogue, participants examined the technical and economic challenges of integrating CFE technologies. Discussions centered on the lower capacity factors of wind and solar power relative to dispatchable generators and the implications for grid reliability. Experts debated financing mechanisms and policy measures necessary to scale up these technologies, stressing that a balanced energy mix is essential to meet peak demand and ensure stable supply.
“Expanding clean electricity is essential to ensure stable and reliable power supply and to achieve carbon neutrality targets,” added Dr Sunghee Shim, Vice President of the Korea Energy Economics Institute.
“In order to achieve this, we must go beyond simply increasing renewable energy sources by incorporating various carbon-free energy technologies. We can enhance flexibility and stability in the power supply while playing a complementary role in the overall energy mix.”
The policy dialogue marked a significant milestone in APEC’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security. By integrating robust data analysis with targeted policy discussions, the workshop provided a clear roadmap for expanding clean, dispatchable electricity—a vital step for achieving carbon neutrality and long-term energy resilience in the region.
For further details and media inquiries, please contact:
media@apec.org
som_media@apec2025.kr
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This news release can also be viewed on the APEC website: https://www.apec.org/press/
