The 2018 Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity

26 - 28 June 2018, Jeju, The Republic of Korea – Since 2001, the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity has sought for a “New Asia” with an emphasis on peace and prosperity in the region. Sustainable peace and common prosperity is a universal value that the international community continues to pursue. No single country or party can achieve peace and prosperity in Asia. Building a peaceful and prosperous community requires joint, cooperative efforts driven by a common vision, which is ideally set and shared by a community, rather than a region of undivided interests. Asian countries have not been successful in integrating efforts for sharing a “common vision”, notwithstanding some visions have been suggested in the course of discussions on a regional cooperative system.

Today, humanity is facing various issues, such as low growth, polarization, climate change, security issues concerning energy, nuclear weapons, food shortage, cyberspace, and historical and territorial disputes amid a new political-economic order symbolized by the recent de-globalization trend. To address such challenges, sharing a common vision should be prioritized as its first step. The Jeju Forum 2018 is committed to reminding the world that it is high time for us to discuss the factors that could change the world order and destabilize Asia in the future. Hence, the importance of gathering wisdom for a joint response to such challenges can be optimally recognized.

The Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Mr. Nikhil Seth visited Jeju to participate in the workshop of UNITAR’s Affiliated International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders in Jeju (CIFAL Jeju) on SDGs and migration and Jeju Forum in Jeju, the Republic of Korea on 26-28 June 2018. With his opening remarks, Mr. Seth welcomed 37 participants and 8 resource people to participate in the workshop. The former Secretary-General of United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon also paid a visit to the training to encourage participants to join the global efforts of promoting SDGs and migration issues in the afternoon of the 27th June.

Mr. Seth also delivered a speech in the session titled ‘Inequality: A Challenge for Our World”, presenting some case studies. Discussions with other panelists, including Amb. OH Joon, former Korean Ambassador to the UN and Prof. Gibung KWON, Graduate Institute of Peace Studies, Kyung Hee University and Q&As with audiences were followed.

On the 28th June, Mr. Seth attended a meeting with Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Mr. Hee-ryong Won to affirm the continuous partnership amongst UNTAR, CIFAL Jeju, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and to discuss projects to develop further cooperation. Meanwhile, Mr. Seth endorsed the strengthened partnership amongst CIFAL centers in Asia-Pacific by signing the ‘Declaration to Strengthen the CIFAL Global Network’. 

Picture 1. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of UN and Mr. Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of UNITAR are at the CIFAL Jeju Workshop on SDGs and Migration. Group photo of all participants

Picture 2. Mr. Nikhil Seth, Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs, and VIPs of Jeju Forum are holding hands for peace and prosperity of the world.

Picture 3. Mr. Nikhil Seth is meeting the Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Mr. Won Hee-ryong

Picture 4. Mr. Seth is giving an endorsement by signing the Declaration.