Gyeongju: The leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member states on Saturday adopted a summit declaration recognizing cultural and creative industries as a 'growth driver' for the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, the declaration was announced after the 21 APEC nations concluded their two-day summit in the South Korean city of Gyeongju. The declaration emphasized the importance of robust trade and investment for the growth and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting the commitment to deepen economic cooperation amidst an evolving global environment.

The declaration outlined APEC's key priorities, which include trade and investment, digital innovation, and inclusive growth, under the theme "Connectivity, Innovation, and Prosperity." It further acknowledged that advancements in science and technology could address common challenges and generate new growth drivers in the APEC region.

For the first time, the declaration specifically recognized cultural and creative industries as a significant growth driver for the Asia-Pacific region. It emphasized the positive contribution of these industries to economic growth and stressed the necessity of strong intellectual property protections.

In addition to the main declaration, the APEC leaders approved two separate documents. One focused on member states' commitment to collaborate on an AI initiative, and the other addressed demographic changes, both initiatives being championed by South Korea.

The summit saw significant participation from global leaders. Notably, US President Donald Trump spoke to APEC business leaders in South Korea on Wednesday but departed the country on Thursday before the main leaders' summit commenced. Casey Mace, the senior US official at APEC, represented Trump at the event.