The ICLEI East Asia Secretariat participated in the 7th World Peace Forum, held on November 2, 2026, at the Westin Josun Busan under the theme “Connecting the World through K-Culture: Peace Diplomacy.” Hosted by the Busan Metropolitan City and organized by the Busan Global City Foundation (BGCF), the forum brought together representatives from international organizations, civil society, academia, and industry to explore opportunities for global cooperation and peace.

As a member of the Busan International Organizations Advisory Committee, the ICLEI East Asia Secretariat participated in two key events during the forum: the committee’s appointment ceremony and its roundtable discussion.

 

ICLEI Appointed to the Busan International Organizations Advisory Committee

At the Busan International Organizations Advisory Committee Appointment Ceremony, Shu Zhu, Regional Director of the ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, was appointed as an advisory committee member. Yeonah Ku, Program Officer, representing the ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, attended the ceremony and received the appointment certificate on his behalf.

The appointment builds on the Secretariat’s ongoing engagement with Busan. Since 2022, ICLEI East Asia has participated in the international organizations advisory group established by the Busan Foundation for International Cooperation, continuing its engagement with BGCF in 2026.

Through this advisory role, ICLEI East Asia will continue to contribute its international network and expertise to support Busan’s global engagement and explore opportunities for cooperation with international organizations and cities worldwide.

 

Introducing ICLEI at the Advisory Committee Roundtable

At the Roundtable of the Busan International Organizations Advisory Committee, representatives from participating international organizations introduced their respective organizations and discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the Busan Metropolitan City. The discussion also explored ways to expand young people’s engagement in international activities and create more opportunities for them to gain international experience.

Representing the ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, Yeonah Ku introduced ICLEI’s global network and its work with local and regional governments to advance sustainable development through international cooperation. She highlighted ICLEI’s role in connecting cities, facilitating knowledge exchange, and supporting local governments in addressing shared urban and environmental challenges.

The roundtable provided an opportunity for participating organizations to share their areas of expertise and identify potential avenues for collaboration with Busan.

 

Looking Ahead: Connecting Busan with Global Cities

As a member city of ICLEI, Busan has opportunities to make greater use of ICLEI’s global network to strengthen international city-to-city cooperation. This is particularly relevant as Busan prepares to host the 4th United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC4) in June 2028, co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and Chile.

Potential areas of cooperation include connecting Busan with coastal and maritime cities around the world to exchange knowledge and experiences on climate action, coastal ecosystem conservation, and sustainable urban development.

The ICLEI East Asia Secretariat also looks forward to continuing discussions with BGCF on opportunities for young people, including internships, international conferences, and collaborative projects. Such initiatives can help young people in Busan gain practical experience in international cooperation while developing their careers in the city.

Through its participation in the advisory committee, ICLEI East Asia aims to further strengthen its partnership with Busan, connect the city with its global network, and support its continued engagement in international cooperation.