Jeju: An annual international peace forum is set to begin on South Korea’s southern island of Jeju this week, focusing on peace and security challenges in various regions and beyond, according to its organizer.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the 20th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity will be held at the Jeju International Convention Center for three days, commencing Wednesday. The event will gather approximately 4,000 participants from 60 countries, including notable former and current government officials and foreign policy experts.

This year’s forum, themed “Innovation for Peace and Prosperity,” aims to facilitate comprehensive discussions on complex challenges. These include the strategic competition between the U.S. and China, Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, and efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. Other significant topics include tackling climate change and the intensifying race for technological supremacy.

The forum will commence with a world leaders’ session, featuring a main speech by former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Also participating will be U.N. Under Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat Wamkele Mene.

South Korea’s acting President Lee Ju-ho is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech during the opening ceremony on Thursday. The forum will also include a special session on the current and future bilateral relations between South Korea and Japan, ahead of the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic normalization next month.

A diplomats’ roundtable will explore ways to enhance cooperation between South Korea and Africa and promote partnerships with African nations. Additionally, participants will examine the diplomatic landscape following the start of Donald Trump’s second administration, assessing his approach to Northeast Asia and exploring strategic directions for South Korea.

The forum will coincide with side events showcasing Jeju’s policy initiatives on carbon neutrality, renewable energy, and smart tourism. Additionally, promotional and youth programs, along with special art exhibitions, will offer insights into Jeju’s natural environment and cultural heritage, as noted by the organizer.