1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation and the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), will hold the “Asian Conference on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention” at Lotte Hotel Seoul from November 6 to 7.

2. The ROK, Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission this year, holds the Conference, especially with a focus on Asia’s experience and perspective, in order to contribute to discussions on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, which are among important issues handled by the UN.

o The Conference will be attended by key UN member states, academics and officials from international organizations in the ROK dealing with peacebuilding-related issues, and this reflects a keen interest in the Conference.

3. Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will attend the Conference and deliver an opening address. At the Conference, the ROK side will explain what the ROK is doing to contribute to peacebuilding, and as Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the ROK will lead discussions on the progress made in building peace in Asia, and the way forward.

o Discussions on conflict prevention and peacebuilding within the UN have focused on the African region so far. The forthcoming Conference is expected to encourage the UN to pay more attention to conflict prevention and peacebuilding in other areas, including Asia.

4. The ROK will continue to contribute to peacebuilding and conflict prevention, among issues which UN Secretary-General Guterres is showing a keen interest in, and as a country leading peacebuilding efforts, the ROK will continue to increase related contributions and activities. In the mid- to long-term, this is expected to contribute to the ROK’s efforts to raise its status in the peace and security area within the UN, including the ROK’s bid to serve as a member of the Security Council (for the 2024-2025 term).


* unofficial translation