By UPF Africa
Written by UPF-Africa
Saturday, May 26, 2023
Seoul-Korea--The Peace Summit 2023 was held in Seoul, Korea, from May 2 to 6, and gathered global leaders from 68 nations to address the various crises facing the world and explore pathways to peace. With the theme "Contemporary Challenges to Global Order: Toward a World Culture of Peace," the summit emphasized interdependence, mutual prosperity, and universal values.
The event began with a welcome dinner at the Lotte World Hotel, where participants had the opportunity to meet and reconnect with each other. Notable speakers, including former President Anote Tong of Kiribati, highlighted the ecological crisis and the need for global unity. The opening plenary featured choral performances, religious leaders conducting a water ceremony, and keynote speeches by prominent figures such as H.E. Brigi Rafini and H.E. Maithripala Sirisena.
The summit included concurrent sessions organized by region and UPF associations, where expert panelists discussed recommendations for overcoming conflicts and promoting cooperation. The Elders' Roundtable was inaugurated with congratulatory remarks and hopes for wisdom and true love to benefit humanity. The 6th Think Tank 2022 Forum focused on peace in the Indo-Pacific region, with speakers analyzing the situation and proposing scenarios for discussion.
The International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) held a conference with young leaders from around the world. Sunhak Peace Prize laureates, H.E. Anote Tong and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, addressed topics such as the climate crisis and the role of future generations.
The summit concluded with speakers highlighting the importance of a collaborative and multisectoral approach to peace, recognizing UPF's role as a platform for global intellectuals. Gratitude was expressed for the hospitality and contributions that made Peace Summit 2023 a meaningful step toward a peaceful world.
You can find here the executive summary and the different sesions reports.
