Asia-Pacific countries and 48 UN member state representatives will gather in Incheon for three days from October 17 to October 19 to review the progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and discuss how to achieve them.

* Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): a set of 17 goals in economic, social, and environmental areas adopted by the United Nations in September 2015 that the international community has committed to achieving by 2030 for sustainable development

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS, Minister Lee Sang-min) has announced that it will host the "7th Regional Symposium on Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific” in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and Incheon Metropolitan City. 

The Regional Symposium, marking its 7th anniversary, is an international gathering to review the process of public administration innovation and the achievement of SDGs in UN member countries. More than 150 participants, including government officials from 48 countries in the Asia-Pacific and East Africa regions, representatives from international organizations, and heads of public institutions, are expected to attend.

At the opening ceremony, Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min and Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeongbok will deliver opening remarks, and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Li Junhua will give a video message. 

Ban Ki-moon, chairman of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future (former Secretary General of the United Nations), will deliver the keynote address. Speakers include representatives from governments and major international organizations*, including the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Disaster Response Division head , and join via video or in person.

* Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNWOMEN), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), etc. 

Over three days, the symposium will discuss the latest issues receiving significant attention at home and abroad, including climate change, disaster response, and digital innovation.

On Day 1, presentations will cover topics such as strengthening data governance through digital innovation and local government's digital transformation and innovation for improving public services. On Day 2, there will be a special session on the UN DESA curriculum on SDG governance and discussions on various themes, such as promoting women’s leadership and climate action through effective policy-making processes. 

Especially, on the last day, the "Local Governance and Partnerships Forum" will be held with the participation of six national policy agencies* on realizing the Local Era for the first time this year. During this forum, participants will discuss digital government at the local level and strengthening resilience to climate change through innovation.

* Korea Research Institute for Local Administration, Korea Local Information Research and Development Institute, Korea Institute of Public Administration, Korea Island Development Institute, National Disaster Management Research Institute, Saemaul Foundation

MOIS will host prestigious international events in the field of public administration, the “UN Public Service Forum” and the “UN Public Service Awards Ceremony” in Korea next year.

Minister Lee Sang-min stated in his opening remarks, "The world needs to work together in great solidarity to bridge the widening global divide and achieve the SDGs." He also emphasized that MOIS will contribute to creating a safe and sustainable world through the spread of the Saemaul Undong, world-class government innovation, and digital platform government.