World EXPO 2030 Busan Forum will be held in Busan city on November 8, 2022 under theme 'Asian Great Transformation.' Foreign journalists visiting Korea for forum are from Egypt, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Iran, and Kyrgyzstan, all of whom are nationals of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) member countries. 

They will explore northern port area, where World EXPO 2030 Busan is scheduled to be held and visit Korean global companies and government agencies. 

Co-hosted by The Kookje Daily News and Asia Journalist Association, World EXPO 2030 Busan Forum was organised to check preparations for bid and promote Busan Metropolitan City through media in Asian countries. In June 2021, Republic of Korea submitted letter of candidature to Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) for hosting of World Expo 2030 in Busan.

Busan is well known as a Korea's second-largest city and greatest port city. According to Busan City, whole city is eager to host World EXPO 2030 on basis of '3Ws' well-developed; well-placed and well-experienced. Busan has played a crucial role in Korea's path from being a recipient of economic assistance into a donor country within half a century. At same time, Busan is playing a leading role in transformation process amidst fourth industrial revolution.  On July 23, 2019, Busan was designated as a regulation-free zone for Blockchain technologies to test innovative technologies and foster related businesses.

A centre for Korea's future industries, Busan Eco Delta Smart City is becoming a logistics hub of Northeast Asia. This thriving city now serves as a centre for marine science and R&D and a home to relevant institutions such as Korea Maritime Institute and Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology. Busan is a transportation and logistics hub and a connecting passageway from Eurasian continent to Asia-Pacific. 

As a hub of Asia-Pacific, more than 40 million tourists visiting from many countries around globe visit to Busan. It also offers captivating natural environment emanating from harmony among sea including seven beaches in Busan, rivers and mountains. 

City is promoting K-Culture through holding of various cultural events, including annual Busan International Film Festival, Busan One Asia Festival and G-STAR. 

Municipality has an extensive experience of holding large-scale international events such as Asian Games in 2002 and APEC Summit in 2005. Meaningful events it has hosted include 2011 Busan World Development Institute General Assembly, 2014 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, 2014 and 2019 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit, 2015 IDB Annual Meeting and International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations World Congress in 2022. Busan 5th and 13th largest MICE city in Asia and world respectively with outstanding talent pool and exhibition infrastructure (such as BEXCO), has outstanding expertise in hosting international exhibitions.

While development of technology and economy has been pursued as way for better and happier lives, humankind is also facing unprecedented global challenges of climate crisis, endemic and digital divide. Dramatic and fundamental change, therefore, is called for to address them. To achieve this goal, Busan aims to host World EXPO 2030. Under main theme, sub-themes have been selected to address three global challenges-climate, downsides of digital transformation and inequality among and within nations.

Each sub-theme correlates with three pillars of UN SDGs- people, planet and prosperity. Along with people of Busan, Koreans share very strong aspiration to host World EXPO 2030 in Busan. Central and local government, executive and legislative branches, private and public sectors alike will engage in wholehearted efforts as one team in order to achieve it. In fact, Bid Committee for World EXPO 2030 Busan was launched in July 2021 to conduct promotional activities for bid. Government Support Committee chaired by Prime Minister was launched in November 2021 to provide central government-wide support. Korea's top ten businesses including Samsung, Hyundai and SK are member of Bid Committee. Strong support of Busan citizens is also indispensable. Busan citizens over 90 percent of whole demographic are showing support for World EXPO 2030, as it was demonstrated in a recent survey. Moreover, economic organizations, media, civic groups and public institutions are members of Bid Committee. 

World EXPO 2030 Busan will provide an opportunity for all participants to recognise global challenges and give thought to environment and new ways of life for humankind. Audience will become compelling witnesses to new future as a transformation unfolds around world before their eyes in real-time utilising new technologies, such as AI, IoT and 6G.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 05 2022

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