On Saturday, July 28, the NEAR Secretariat co-hosted the 2018 Northeast Asia Economic Cooperation CEO Forum in conjunction with Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Pohang City, home of the secretariat. Discussions were held on methods for cooperation among regional governments in Northeast Asia in response to the recent international political changes of the region. 

At the opening ceremony, held at the POSCO International Center in Pohang City,  Mayor Lee Kang-duck of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province delivered the opening remarks. Vice-governor for Economic Affairs Kim Sun-kyeon, and other VIPs delivered congratulatory speeches. Former Minister of Unification Lee Jongseok presented the keynote address.

In the first session, presentations were given by CEOs from Pohang City, Korea, Changchun City, China, Maizuru City, Japan, Vladivostok City, Russia, and Dornod Province, Mongolia. Governor Badamsuren of Dornod Province, which is a NEAR member regional government, gave a presentation titled, “Perspectives on the Regional Integration of Eastern Mongolia.”

At the second session, expert presentations and panel discussions were held and nine experts from Korea, China and Russia, including experts working as civil member of the Presidential Committee on the Northern Economic Forum, were present. NEAR Secretary-General Hong Jong-kyung chaired the panel discussion.