Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister in-charge of Trade Relations​ Grace Fu and Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs and for Home Affairs Sim Ann attended the 36th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, from 29 to 30 October 2025

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister in-charge of Trade RelationsGrace Fu and Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs and for Home Affairs Sim Ann attended the 36^th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, from 29 to 30 October 2025.

At the AMM, APEC Ministers discussed how APEC economies could leverage digital cooperation to accelerate economic growth and address regional challenges, to build a more prosperous Asia-Pacific region.

In her intervention, SMS Sim spoke about the importance of addressing demographic challenges to ensure the region’s continued prosperity. She discussed how APEC economies can do so by working together and leveraging on emerging technologies such as AI. She expressed Singapore’s readiness to partner APEC economies to address those challenges and share best practices and experiences. The full text of SMS Sim’s intervention is appended.

SMS Sim also met with her counterparts on the sidelines of the AMM.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
30 OCTOBER 2025

SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOR HOME AFFAIRS SIM ANN’S INTERVENTION AT SESSION I, ‘INNOVATE AND PROSPER’, AT THE 36^TH APEC MINISTERIAL MEETING IN GYEONGJU, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Minister Cho, Excellencies, annyeong hasimnikka.

1. Let me begin by thanking the Republic of Korea for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements.

2. I would like to open my remarks on the structural shift in this region – demographic change, and how we can make use of emerging technologies like AI to adjust to this new reality.

Demographic Changes

3. For many of us, demographic changes have far-reaching implications for our economic models and societies. The APEC Policy Support Unit reported that the share of people aged 65 and over in our region has doubled from 7% in 1990 to around 15% in 2025. This is projected to approach about one in five by mid-century. Like many others, Singapore faces the twin demographic challenges of falling birth rates and an ageing population.

a.The workforce will shrink, and we must find ways to increase productivity.

b. There will be strains on our healthcare systems.

c. Infrastructure in our economies may be insufficient to serve the needs of the population. Government expenditures may have to increase accordingly.

4. Addressing our demographic challenge is fundamental to our region’s continued prosperity. APEC economies have an opportunity to act collectively.

a. We welcome Korea’s initiative to create a Collaborative Framework for Demographic Changes.

                                     i.     As the Framework outlines, the demographic challenge is multifaceted and requires a multi-prong approach.

                                   ii.     We should learn from each other’s experience and best practices. For instance, earlier this year, Singapore and Korea signed an MOU on Healthcare Cooperation to enhance cooperation in the health sector, including on aged care policy research.

5. Let me share Singapore’s perspective. A shift in societal mindsets is critical.

a. First, we must move away from the traditional concept of an “ageing society”, towards becoming a “longevity society”. One that harnesses longer life expectancies to unlock new socio-economic possibilities.

b. Second, we should continue to support marriage and parenthood aspirations holistically, with measures across housing, healthcare, education, financial support and work-life support.

c. Third, we are mindful of the wider social compact. As the proportion of seniors grow, our youths will have to take on heavier responsibilities. Societal cohesion and care across generations is important.

6. Singapore is exploring how AI and new technologies can support this effort.

a. In the workforce, AI will increase productivity. For instance, our port operators redesigned jobs so that elderly workers’ productivity and safety was enhanced by AI.

b. In the healthcare sector, we are leveraging AI’s predictive powers to support preventive care and social prescribing, such as helping our doctors to flag high-risk individuals and tailor interventions.

c. Together with the right training and standards, AI can help the healthcare sector handle higher caseloads.

7. Singapore is ready to partner APEC economies to address these challenges and share best practices and experiences. We look forward to further discussions at APEC on this issue. Daedanhi gamsahamnida

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