The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) summit will kick off its two-day run on Friday in Gyeongju.

President Lee Jae Myung, as APEC chair, will welcome the leaders of member nations and officially open the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

The summit will span two plenary sessions and a dinner.

Lee will participate in the first session, themed “Toward a More Connected and Resilient World,” which will focus on trade cooperation and mutual investment amid growing protectionism.

In addition to representatives from the 21 member economies, attendees will include Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

Following the session, Lee will attend a luncheon with members of the APEC Business Advisory Council. In the evening, he will host a welcome dinner for APEC leaders, business representatives and other distinguished guests.