What they say

The current global trade environment allows little room for complacency. If RCEP fails to evolve to meet expectations, it risks losing relevance amid rising protectionism. We must recognize this moment as a call to action, not only to preserve the current framework, but to elevate it. To solidify RCEP's role as the world's leading free trade agreement, we must pursue deeper integration — raising market openness, expanding membership and exploring convergence with the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) in the long term.

Lee Hee-sup, secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat