A big stage for big opportunities: The German Asia-Pacific Business Conference (APK) 2026 offered an exciting programme and plenty of opportunity to forge important contacts in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 19th APK was opened by Han Seong-sook, Prime Minister of Korea, this year's host country.

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered the second opening address.

With more than 800 participants, this year's conference once again confirmed its importance as the central platform for German business to engage with the Asia-Pacific region.

Among those engaged in lively debate were (left to right) Roland Busch, APA Chairman and CEO of Siemens AG; Kim Jung-Kwan, Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources; Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs; and Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group (right: moderator Ayoung Shin).

Applause for Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Jaya Singam Rajoo. His country will host the next APK.

To good cooperation (left to right): Roland Busch, APA Chairman and CEO of Siemens AG; Kirsten Schoder-Steinmüller, DIHK Vice-President; Kim Jung-Kwan, Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources; Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs; and Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group.

Chaired by Vice-President Kirsten Schoder-Steinmüller (fourth from left), a delegation of chambers of industry and commerce (IHKs) also travelled to Seoul for the APK.

In an exclusive setting, the AHK chief executives met with DIHK Head of Foreign Trade Volker Treier (left) and Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (second from left).