TCS

On March 24-27, 2026, the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 was held in Boao, Hainan Province, China, under the theme “Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation.” The conference brought together around 2,000 participants from more than 60 countries and regions, including government officials, business leaders, scholars, and media representatives.Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the conference and participated in sessions, including a panel discussion on “Strengthening Cooperation among Regional Organizations to Forge Synergy in Policy Coordination” and a seminar marking the 25th anniversary of the Boa Forum for Asia.At the panel discussion, SG LEE highlighted the resilience of East Asian cooperation under the ASEAN Plus Three and emphasized the importance of strengthening policy coordination and advancing regional integration, including through the RCEP, to promote sustainable growth.At the seminar commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Boao Forum for Asia, SG LEE congratulated the Forum on its milestone and underscored its role as a vital platform for promoting regional dialogue and multilateralism. He expressed confidence that the Forum will continue to contribute to peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific, reaffirming TCS’s commitment to supporting regional cooperation.▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup participated in the panel discussion on “Strengthening Cooperation among Regional Organizations to Forge Synergy in Policy Coordination”.▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup participated in the seminar marking the 25th anniversary of the Boao Forum for Asia.

On March 26, 2026, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the Book Publication Commemorative Symposium in Tokyo, Japan. The symposium organized by the International Academic Society for Asian Community (ISAC) provided an opportunity for Secretary-General LEE to deliver special lecture. SG LEE has contributed to the book publication.In his remarks, he highlighted that the world is undergoing a historic transformation marked by geopolitical tensions and fragmented global governance, noting that “the world is facing a once‑in‑a‑century turning point.” He emphasized that strengthened trilateral cooperation among China, Japan, and the ROK is essential to navigating these challenges and advancing a future‑oriented East Asian community. He also underscored the importance of mutual trust and “cooperation and coexistence” as the foundation for regional stability and shared prosperity.The symposium explored the global “great transformation” and Japan’s strategic vision of linking Europe and Asia, as presented in the commemorative lecture. It also featured keynote presentations by distinguished university professors, along with remarks by Former Prime Minister of Japan Mr. HATOYAMA Yukio and Mr. OGURA Kazuo, former Ambassador to the Republic of Korea and France.▲Book Publication Commemorative Symposium in progress

TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the 2026 NEAR Member Government Workshop and the Meeting of Ambassadors for International Relations, held from March 18 to 20, 2026, in Gyeongju, Korea. Marking NEAR’s 30th anniversary, the event brought together approximately 130 officials from China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Russia to revitalize local government exchanges and explore avenues for regional development. The program featured high-level dialogues, secretariat reports, and policy presentations by member governments, along with cultural and industrial site visits in Gyeongju and Pohang.At the opening ceremony, SG LEE delivered a congratulatory speech, highlighting that NEAR and TCS function as the “two wheels of a bicycle,” advancing together toward regional peace and prosperity. He emphasized that stable and sustained exchanges among local governments serve not only as a vital buffer but also as a key driving force for resilience in times of global uncertainty. In closing, he reaffirmed TCS’ commitment to deepening its partnership with NEAR and sharing its expertise to further strengthen the trilateral cooperation framework among China, Japan, and Korea.*NEAR(Association of North East Asia Regional Governments) is an independent international organization promoting mutual development and cooperation among local governments across six Northeast Asian countries. The annual NEAR Member Government Workshop strengthens regional networks and people-to-people ties, providing a platform to coordinate yearly project plans and benchmark successful member policies.▲SG LEE delivering congratulatory remarks▲Group photo

On February 12, 2026, the Young Ambassador Program (YAP) 2026 concluded with a Group Presentation and Closing Ceremony at Korea University Sejong Campus, Republic of Korea. Co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), Sejong City, and the Korea University Sejong Campus RISE Center, the program brought together 48 undergraduate and graduate students from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea under the theme, “Youth Beyond Borders: Creating Shared Future for Trilateral Cooperation.” The highlight of the ceremony was the final group presentations, during which participants introduced policy proposals developed throughout the program. The presentation topics included “Learning across CJK Borders: A Pact for Aging Populations,” “Child and Adolescent Online Safety,” “A Trilateral Campus–Carbon–Climate Security Initiative in CJK,” and “Common China-Japan-Korea Value Chain to Vitalize Regional Areas,” among others, reflecting diverse perspectives on trilateral cooperation. Closing remarks were delivered by YAN Liang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, and Professor CHOI Doo-ho, Head of the Korea University Sejong Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation. YAP 2026 featured thematic lectures on sustainable development, economic cooperation, demographic trends, AI and cybersecurity, cultural exchange, and youth engagement. The program also included a career talk session and cultural exploration tours in Sejong and Jeonju. The next edition of the Young Ambassador Program will be held in China in 2027, continuing its mission to promote youth engagement and trilateral cooperation.▲YAN Liang, Deputy Secretary-General of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat delivering closing remarks▲CHOI Doo-ho, Director and Head of Korea University Sejong Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation delivering closing remarks▲Group Presentation▲Group Presentation▲Group Photo