Guests pose for a commemorative photo at the 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity held at Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju in Seogwipo, Jeju. The forum, running from the 24th through the 26th, is co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the International Peace Foundation, and the East Asia Foundation, and organized by the Jeju Peace Institute. News1
President Lee Jae-myung said Wednesday that “the challenges the world faces today, including artificial intelligence, trade, and the climate crisis, can never be solved by the power of one or two nations alone,” adding that “when nations with problem-solving capabilities build flexible cooperative networks, they can fill the gaps in the existing international order.”
Lee made the remarks in a video congratulatory address at the “2026 Jeju Forum,” held under the theme “Reimagining Cooperation” at the Haevichi Hotel in Jeju. “In today’s era of division, with wars and conflicts continuing around the world, the significance of this forum, held under the theme of ‘Reimagining Cooperation,’ resonates even more strongly,” he said.
“Solidarity among nations will enable constructive cooperation with the United Nations in each field,” Lee said. “Beyond simply managing conflicts, we must speak more actively about peace for a genuine peace in which there is no need to fight one another.”
Lee stressed, “The Republic of Korea will continue to lead international cooperation for peace and prosperity, and fully carry out its role and contribution as a responsible global power.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said in a video congratulatory address that “‘Reimagining Cooperation’ is a reaffirmation of our commitment to upholding the UN Charter,” emphasizing that “multilateralism suited to today’s realities must be more connected, inclusive, and representative.”
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said in a keynote speech that “a fragmented international order is not entirely negative and is now establishing itself as a structural reality,” stressing that “in such an environment, ‘Reimagining Cooperation’ is necessary.”
To this end, he emphasized that “cooperation methods aligned with the new international environment are needed, including diversifying supply chains, upholding international law and norms, strengthening the capacity of the Global South, and expanding global public goods through the reform of multilateralism.”
The Jeju Forum runs for three days from Wednesday through Thursday. The program includes a world leaders session, a dialogue with candidates for the next UN secretary-general, a session on reimagining multilateralism, and a session on building peace in the Middle East after the Iran war.