The 14th Chair Regional Government, Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea (Since August 2021)

Honorable Members of the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments!

I am Kim Doo-gyum, the 14th NEAR chairperson and Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City. As exchange and cooperation are becoming more active, borders in the conventional sense are retreating, and the necessity for trans-border cooperation is increasing daily.

In particular, multiple crises such as climate change and pandemics demonstrated the imperative of establishing reciprocal cooperation systems through solidarity between regional governments.

The Northeast Asian population, which makes up 25 percent of the world, drives the world economy with its dynamic and robust growth engine.

I believe that Northeast Asia will respond to transnational challenges wisely and lay down new stepping-stones for possible growth.

Strengthening regional cooperation to realize a peaceful Northeast Asian community and establishing new governance for a post-COVID-19 era are the demands of the times.

Amid the changing times, as the NEAR chair, Ulsan Metropolitan City will explore ways for Northeast Asian regional governments to respond to novel global issues preemptively and gain a competitive edge.

Moreover, we will do our utmost to help member regions gain good results amid the rapidly changing social and economic phases in the face of the fourth industrial revolution.

Primarily, we will make the best effort to ensure that the young generation, the major player of the fourth industrial revolution, will make waves of change and form the environment in which they will lead innovative growth amid the rapidly shifting digital environment and industrial paradigm.

I am confident that Northeast Asian regional governments with a longstanding history of cultural exchange can grow exponentially by establishing win-win networks among provinces and cities through solidarity.

Lastly, I wish NEAR and member regions prosperity and a bright future.

Mayor Kim Doo-gyum of Ulsan Metropolitan City
Chairperson of the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments