Asia-Pacific LNG Leaders to Discuss AI-Driven Energy Solutions in Gyeongju

Asia-Pacific LNG Leaders to Discuss AI-Driven Energy Solutions in Gyeongju

Leading figures in the Asia-Pacific LNG industry are gathering in Gyeongju, South Korea, to explore solutions to energy challenges in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that the 'Asia Pacific LNG Connect' session will be held as a special event within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit at the Gyeongju Arts Center on October 31st. This event is expected to be an important forum for discussing sustainable development strategies for the LNG industry amidst a rapidly changing energy market and exploring new energy solutions incorporating AI technology. In particular, in-depth discussions will be held on the role of LNG in strengthening energy security and achieving carbon neutrality goals. With the attention of South Korean President Jae-myung Lee and other government officials, it remains to be seen whether this APEC CEO Summit will contribute to the development of the domestic energy industry.

The APEC CEO Summit will be held at the Gyeongju Arts Center for four days from October 28th to 31st, 2025, with the 'Asia Pacific LNG Connect' session taking place on the final day, the 31st. SK Group Executive Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won and SK Innovation CEO Choo Hyung-wook will attend the summit, representing South Korea's energy industry leadership. In addition to SK Innovation, leaders from 10 major energy companies across six countries including the United States, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand will participate to share their experiences, knowledge, and explore opportunities for collaboration. With prominent figures from the energy industry gathering in one place, this summit is expected to be a crucial opportunity to strengthen energy cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and discover new growth engines. Expectations are particularly high regarding whether practical collaborative measures will be derived from discussions between energy policymakers and business representatives from various countries.

The 'Asia Pacific LNG Connect' session will be moderated by Keisuke Sadamori, Director of Energy Markets and Security at the International Energy Agency (IEA). He will emphasize the importance of international cooperation for energy market stability and security, aiming to guide the session to contribute to the development of the LNG industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Sean Peet, Vice President of Santos, will present a case study on the Moomba CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) hub, utilizing depleted gas fields. This innovative technology is expected to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the sustainability of the LNG industry. Furthermore, Yumi Yao, Executive Officer of Tokyo Gas, Jaturong Worawootawathana, Executive Vice President of PTT, and Shamsairi M. Ibrahim, Vice President of Petronas, representing energy companies from their respective countries, will participate as panelists for in-depth discussions. They are expected to leverage their experiences and expertise to discuss the current status and future prospects of the LNG market and propose energy solutions suitable for the AI era.

Choo Hyung-wook, CEO of SK Innovation, plans to share his experience at the APEC CEO Summit regarding how he was able to build a stable LNG portfolio based on the price competitiveness and contract flexibility of US LNG. This is expected to generate significant interest as it presents a strategy for South Korean energy companies to secure competitiveness in the global LNG market. In addition, Harold Hamm, Chairman Emeritus of Continental Resources, plans to highlight the success factors and future potential of the US LNG industry. His presentation is expected to help reaffirm the impact of the US LNG industry on the global energy market and forecast its future growth potential. Ariel Handler, Senior Vice President of NextDecade, Nathan Will, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Freeport LNG, Sunao Okamoto, General Manager of LNG Global at Osaka Gas, and Jooyoung Joon, Head of Future Proof Business at Hanwha, will also participate as panelists to exchange diverse opinions. They are expected to illuminate various aspects of the LNG market based on their knowledge and experience in their respective fields and provide insights into changes in the future energy market.

Meanwhile, prior to the official schedule of the APEC CEO Summit, a pre-event called the 'Asia Pacific LNG Connect Night' will be held at the Ananti Ballroom in Busan on October 30, 2025. Harold Hamm, Chairman Emeritus, will attend this event and deliver a special lecture, which is expected to provide networking opportunities with energy leaders from the Asia-Pacific region. 'Asia Pacific LNG Connect Night' is expected to be an important event for wishing the successful hosting of the APEC CEO Summit and promoting cooperation in the energy sector. Through this event, South Korea is expected to strengthen its position as an energy hub in the Asia-Pacific region and further consolidate its energy security. With the attention of leaders from major countries, including US President Donald Trump, it remains to be seen whether this APEC CEO Summit and 'Asia Pacific LNG Connect Night' will be successfully concluded.