Transport Cooperation in the Age of AI and Autonomous Driving: APEC Mobility Forum Opens in Seoul

[Financial News] Government representatives from 10 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies are gathering in Seoul to envision together the future of transport transformed by artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving. Building on recommendations from the forum first held last year under the Korean government’s leadership, this year’s event will raise the level of discussion by bringing together policy frameworks, on-the-ground operations and technology. A venue has also been arranged for Korean mobility companies to meet directly with transport officials from member economies, which is expected to serve as a gateway to overseas expansion.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 13th, the 2026 APEC Smart Mobility Forum will be held over three days, from the 14th to the 16th, at The Westin Josun Seoul in Seoul. Government representatives from member economies (HoDs), as well as domestic and international experts and industry figures, will attend. They will share smart mobility policies, operational examples and technology trends from their respective economies and explore ways to cooperate in the future.
The forum was first launched last year. Korea, the APEC host economy in 2025, held the inaugural meeting on August 4–5 that year at Paradise City in Incheon, with about 250 officials from member economies, experts and others in attendance. The first forum, held in conjunction with the 55th APEC Transportation Working Group (TPTWG) meeting, featured sessions on connectivity, innovation and prosperity. The APEC Smart Mobility Recommendations developed at the event set out 10 areas for cooperation to promote smart mobility, including integration, connectivity, innovation, prosperity and a human-centered approach. This year’s event is focused on reviewing how the recommendations are being implemented in practice and ensuring continuity in cooperation within APEC so that it does not remain a one-off effort.
On the 16th, the final day of the event, participants will visit the Korea Expressway Corporation Traffic Information Center and the Samsung Innovation Museum. The technical field trip will give them a firsthand look at Korea’s transport operations system and sites where advanced technologies are being applied.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hong Ji-seon plans to stress, “As technologies such as AI and autonomous driving are advancing rapidly, it is important to connect policy, operations and technology organically and to deliver safe, convenient, people-centered mobility,” adding, “We will continue to share experiences, among other things, in the field of smart mobility with APEC member economies and pursue practical cooperation.”

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