G-Dragon: "Protecting Heritage Is Building Peace for the Future"

Appointed as Korea’s First UNESCO World Heritage Committee Ambassador

Singer G-Dragon is giving a speech at the opening ceremony of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee held at BEXCO in Busan on the 19th. Screenshot from KBS

Singer G-Dragon has been appointed as an ambassador for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which was held in Korea for the first time, and will lead a global fundraising campaign for the protection of world heritage.

On July 19, G-Dragon attended the opening ceremony of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee at BEXCO in Busan, where he was formally appointed as an official ambassador by the National Heritage Administration. This is Korea’s first time hosting the event since joining the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Delegations from around the world are gathering to discuss policies for preserving and newly designating world heritage sites.

On this day, G-Dragon delivered a speech focused on heritage preservation and peace. He stated, “Protecting heritage is not only about preserving the past, but also about creating peace for the future. Art has the power to move everyone’s hearts, and when that movement comes together, it becomes a powerful force for change. As an artist, I will lend my strength to protect world heritage that is at risk of disappearing due to war and climate crisis.”

Regarding Busan, the host city, he said, “This is a city that has turned its scars of war into peace and hope and is home to the world’s only United Nations Memorial Cemetery. Here, where those who devoted themselves to peace beyond borders rest, I wish to begin a new promise for world heritage protection.” He added, “I hope that our small intentions that begin in Busan will become a great field of peace connecting the world.”

In addition to his role as ambassador, the public interest corporation “JUSPEACE Foundation,” founded by G-Dragon, has launched the global fundraising campaign “HERITAGE IN PEACE” for the World Heritage Fund. The donations collected will be delivered to the UNESCO World Heritage Fund through the foundation.

The National Heritage Administration explained that G-Dragon was chosen as ambassador because his philosophy—that small acts of participation in everyday life can create peace—aligns closely with UNESCO’s founding mission. UNESCO Secretary-General Khaled El-Anany also expressed his deep gratitude to G-Dragon’s team in his opening remarks for launching the World Heritage Fundraising Campaign.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.