South Korea this week hosted the first ministerial-level anti-corruption dialogue within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a step officials called a landmark for regional cooperation.
The meeting brought together senior representatives from member economies to share approaches and strengthen collaboration. Officials focused on law enforcement cooperation, cross-border information sharing and joint training programs.
South Korea’s delegate said corruption cannot be tackled in isolation, stressing that misconduct in one country affects its neighbors due to the integration of APEC economies. He called for a regional framework to address the issue beyond national borders.
Ministers discussed ways to link anti-corruption measures with broader economic policy, including transparent procurement, whistleblower protections and digital auditing tools. Officials said such reforms help build trust, attract investment and improve competitiveness.
Several economies presented examples of governance reforms that had improved public administration and restored confidence in state institutions.
The dialogue concluded with an agreement to create a working group to monitor progress and coordinate future action. Members said they would meet regularly to evaluate impact and share best practices, keeping anti-corruption efforts central to APEC’s long-term goals.
Hosting the event highlighted South Korea’s role in pushing governance reforms and raising institutional capacity in the region, officials said.
