Jeju Forum Unites Leaders to Rebuild Global Cooperation

When the world feels more divided than ever, 5,000 leaders from across the globe are coming together to chart a new path forward.

The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity is hosting its most ambitious gathering yet this year, bringing together former world leaders, UN officials, and policy experts to tackle global fragmentation. For more than two decades, this South Korea summit has served as a platform for dialogue on pressing international challenges.

This year's forum stands out for one remarkable reason. All five candidates running to be the next UN Secretary-General will share the stage together in a special public session. Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, former Senegal President Macky Sall, and three other leading candidates will present their visions for strengthening global cooperation.

The timing couldn't be more critical. International institutions once seen as pillars of stability now struggle to address conflicts and climate challenges as nations turn inward. The forum's theme, "Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World," reflects this urgent reality.

Seventy specialized panel discussions will explore practical solutions across artificial intelligence, energy transition, and ethical governance. Youth programs running alongside the main sessions will empower the next generation of global leaders with tools for collaboration.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is co-hosting the forum for the first time, significantly expanding its reach and visibility. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and several former prime ministers from Japan, Indonesia, and Mongolia are confirmed to participate.

Why This Inspires

Jeju Island itself carries a powerful message of transformation. Once the site of a devastating 1948 conflict that cost tens of thousands of lives, the island was designated Korea's "Island of World Peace" in 2005. This journey from tragedy to hope mirrors the forum's mission.

The gathering proves that even when geopolitical tensions run high, people committed to peace can still find common ground. By bringing UN secretary-general candidates directly to the public rather than keeping selection behind closed doors, the forum democratizes global leadership.

These conversations matter because cooperation isn't optional anymore. Climate change, pandemics, and technological disruption cross every border. The solutions must too.

The forum demonstrates that rebuilding trust between nations starts with creating spaces where honest dialogue can happen, and thousands of committed leaders are ready to do exactly that work.