“As the APEC chair economy, Korea officially launched discussions on the Smart Mobility Initiative at the Forum, which was held in conjunction with the 55th APEC Transportation Working Group (TPTWG) meeting (August 6–8, Songdo Convensia). This made the event especially meaningful, bringing together both high-level officials and working-level experts. The opening ceremony began with remarks by Vice Minister Heeup Kang of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, calling on APEC economies to work together to build a safe, sustainable, and inclusive future of smart mobility through cooperation and innovation. Deputy Secretary Ramon G. Reyes of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Chairman Cheong-Hoe Heo of ITS Korea delivered congratulatory and welcome remarks, further strengthening the commitment to collaboration. Kakao Mobility CEO Geungseon Ryu delivered a keynote address on ‘Reimagining Sustainable Growth in the Era of Autonomous Driving,’ highlighting the role of AI-driven innovation and APEC’s contribution to international cooperation. High-level and plenary sessions followed, where participants discussed national initiatives and future cooperation in depth.”

Technology Exhibitions, Business Meetings, and More Side Events

In addition, a five-day technology exhibition at Songdo Convensia featured 12 companies (including Novitec, Metabuild, Bitsensing, Studio Galilei, SignTelecom, Autonomous A2Z, AutoEL, and Pablo Air) and four institutions (Korea Expressway Corporation, Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement, Incheon International Airport Corporation, and Korea Airports Corporation), showcasing Korea’s advanced transport technologies such as autonomous driving and urban air mobility (UAM). Delegates also visited Incheon International Airport and the Incheon Smart City Operation Center to experience real-world applications of these cutting-edge technologies. Business meetings between nine Korean organizations and companies and counterparts from six economies (Canada, the Philippines, India, Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan) explored opportunities for market entry, partnerships, and investment. Furthermore, KAIA signed an MOU with the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) to strengthen bilateral international research cooperation, while Incheon International Airport Corporation concluded an MOU with the Vietnam Aviation Academy to advance workforce training collaboration.