The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, attended the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting in Incheon, Korea, today (October 22) and discussed with ministers from APEC member economies and representatives of international organisations the relevant legal and policy measures of how structural reform can help build a sustainable future.

     Under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow" for APEC this year, the meetings will focus discussions on topics under three priorities: "Connect, Innovate, Prosper". In the morning, Mr Lam and the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the joint session of the Finance Ministers' Meeting and the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting to explore relevant policy measures, such as research and development, regulatory reform and talent development, in promoting digital transformation including artificial intelligence. Mr Lam then attended the Joint Working Luncheon of Finance and Structural Reform Ministers with the APEC Business Advisory Council, to exchange views with ministers from APEC member economies and Council representatives.

     In the afternoon, Mr Lam attended the opening session and thematic sessions of the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting. The Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting this year is themed "Future Direction and Role of Structural Reform in addressing emerging challenges". Speaking at the first thematic session on "How Structural Reform can contribute to Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper", Mr Lam said that Hong Kong, China stands firm in supporting a rule-based international economic order and is eager to build stronger ties with various economies and international organisations. In addition to assisting in the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation's headquarters in Hong Kong, China, the setup of a regional liaison office of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law in Hong Kong, China is also being explored. On innovation, Hong Kong, China has been making reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records advocated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and considering legislative amendments to facilitate digitalisation of trade documents. Relevant legislation will also be reviewed to support a wider application of artificial intelligence. Mr Lam expressed the hope that the member economies will connect, innovate and prosper, with a view to transforming challenges into opportunities.

     The Law Officer (International Law) of the Department of Justice, Dr James Ding, also spoke at the meeting in the capacity of the APEC Economic Committee Chair.

     In the second session, the participants shared views on how structural reforms can help enable fair and competitive markets and enhance the environment for doing business.

     The two-day APEC Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting is a milestone event held every five years to further APEC's structural reform efforts and set in motion the next five-year structural reform agenda of the Economic Committee. 

     In the evening, Mr Lam attended the welcome dinner of the meeting.

     Mr Lam will continue to attend the APEC Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting tomorrow (October 23).

Ends/Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:25

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