On 30th May, Republic of Korea’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and the Secretary-General of NATO and ASEAN Delivered Keynote Speeches at the Opening Ceremony of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity Regarding the Strengthening of Global Cooperation
The 19th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, which is aimed at strengthening global cooperation and creating a platform for effective discussions to address various crises faced by the international community, officially held its opening ceremony on the 30th.
At the opening ceremony held at 10:50 a.m. in Tamra Hall B at ICC Jeju, global leaders and experts from various fields gathered to discuss practical ways to enhance global cooperation.
Hosted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the International Peace Foundation, and the East Asia Foundation, and organized by the Jeju Peace Institute, the Jeju Forum is taking place from 29th May to the upcoming 31st May at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC Jeju).
The Jeju Forum, under the theme of “Acting Together for a Better World,” aims to address the international community’s crises amid unstable global situations such as the US-China strategic competition, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
In the context of geopolitical rivalry, economic uncertainty, climate change, and energy security crises simultaneously threatening human life, the forum seeks to explore solutions with experts from various fields for peace and prosperity through international cooperation.
This year’s Jeju Forum comprises 58 sessions across five areas: diplomacy and security, economy and management, climate and environment, women and culture, education, and global Jeju, involving more than 30 domestic and international institutions to explore various cooperation measures.
Notably, the World Leaders Session, which was suspended since 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been revived this year. On the morning of the 30th, current and former leaders of governments and international organizations came together to share insights for global peace and prosperity.
In his opening speech, Oh Young-hoon, Chairman of the Jeju Forum Organizing Committee and Governor of Jeju Province, stated, “Climate change and energy security crises threaten individual and national survival and human peace. International solidarity and joint responses are urgently needed to move towards a carbon-neutral society for sustainable prosperity.”
Governor Oh emphasized, “Jeju, as a leading carbon-neutral city in Asia, will take the lead in realizing a carbon-neutral society with pioneering carbon-neutral policies and lay the foundation for global solidarity and cooperation to overcome the climate crisis.”
He added, “We must establish a new international order for common prosperity and solidify a global multilateral cooperation system. I hope the Jeju Forum will become a meaningful platform to resolve global complex crises with wisdom through multilateral solidarity and cooperation, not military power.”
Following Governor Oh’s speech, keynote speeches were delivered by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
Prime Minister Han, in a video message, said, “Starting next month, Korea will actively participate as the chair of the UN Security Council to overcome global crises and play a leading role in maintaining peace and security worldwide. We will always be part of the solidarity for peace and prosperity.”
Former Prime Minister Fukuda expressed respect for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s efforts to normalize Korea-Japan relations and hoped for opportunities to engage in dialogue in various fields for a strong Korea-Japan relationship. He emphasized that both countries face similar issues such as population decline, aging, low birth rates, urban concentration, and shrinking provinces, and should work together in a cooperative relationship to solve these social problems.
Fukuda also mentioned the issue of North Korean missile launches over Japan and stressed that war cannot solve everything and should never be the solution. Reflecting on Japan’s history in the 19th century, he expressed his sincere sentiments and regrets as a Japanese.
Following the keynote speeches, congratulatory speeches were delivered by Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat, Armida Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Emigdio P. Tanjuatco III, Vice Chairperson of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee of the Philippines.
In her video message, ESCAP Executive Secretary Alisjahbana emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and multilateralism, stating, “to move away from fossil fuels and invest in green technology, nature-based solutions, and climate resilience, regional cooperation is more important than ever.”
She emphasized that “local governments can be key components of multilateralism, testing and proving solutions and innovations on the ground and spreading them nationwide.”
Following the World Leaders Session on the 30th, the 19th Jeju Forum will continue on with sessions such as the Diplomatic Roundtable, the direction and tasks of Korea’s diplomatic, security, and unification strategies, and wisdom for realizing the global pivotal state initiative.
On the final day, the 31st, sessions will be held on topics such as the solidarity of global peace cities, the role of AI in peacebuilding in the digital age, and local diplomacy as a beacon of global cooperation.
Additionally, in the lobby on the 3rd floor of ICC Jeju, various events such as participation presentations by Jeju youths, special lectures for young people by local IT companies, and a special photo exhibition by Marcin Ryczek, the 2013 International Fine Arts Photography Award winner, will take place. For more details, visit the official website (jejuforum.or.kr).
Source: Jeju Sori, May 30, 2024
https://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=427116