'World Gyeongju Forum' Opens on the 8th, Continuing APEC Achievements... Seeking Shared Prosperity Through Culture

Discussing Sustainable International Cooperation in the Cultural and Creative Industries
Experts Including EU and UNESCO Cultural Policy Advisors to Attend

Based on the achievements of last year's 'Gyeongju Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit' and the High-Level Dialogue on Cultural Industries, the '2026 World Gyeongju Forum' will be held at the Gyeongju HICO (Hwabaek International Convention Center) from October 8 to 9, 2026, to discuss sustainable international cooperation strategies in the field of cultural and creative industries.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on October 6 that this year's forum, held under the theme 'Global Transitions: Shared Prosperity and Joint Growth Driven by Culture,' will include four main sessions—'Cultural & Creative Industries and Youth,' 'Local & Global,' 'Digital & Artificial Intelligence (AI),' and 'History & Culture'—as well as a special session and eight cooperative programs.

This event is jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, North Gyeongsang Province, and Gyeongju City. Minister Choi Hwi-young is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on October 8 to welcome participants.

The opening ceremony will feature globally renowned scholars and practitioners presenting directions for shared prosperity led by culture. Professor Pier Luigi Sacco from D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara in Italy, known for designing EU cultural policy, will deliver a keynote speech on 'Korea Emerging as a Strategic Leader in a Multipolar Global Cultural and Creative Ecosystem: Prospects and Challenges.' Additionally, Andy Pratt, Honorary Professor at the City, St George’s, University of London and UNESCO Chair in Global Creative Economy, will speak about 'The Possibility of Social, Cultural, and Economic Shared Prosperity and Policy Challenges through the Linkage of Culture and Cultural & Creative Industries.'

Following the keynotes, a special discussion will be held featuring the two keynote speakers, Kim Yoonji, President of the Korea Creative Content Agency, and Cho Ji-eun, Director of the Korean Studies Centre at the University of Oxford, to discuss international cooperation tasks for realizing shared prosperity.

On October 9, four breakout sessions will examine practical strategies and implementation for prosperity in each field. In the morning session on 'Cultural & Creative Industries and Youth,' Jason Bevan, former Head of Development at Warner Bros. Pictures, and others will discuss strategies for shared growth through talent exchange. In the 'Local & Global' session, Korean history lecturer Choi Taeseong and others will present and debate ideas for developing local historical and cultural assets into global brands.

In the afternoon 'Digital & Artificial Intelligence (AI)' session, Seoul National University Professor Lee Gyogu and others will explore how creators, industries, and institutions can coexist in the era of AI. In the 'History & Culture' session, Professor Andy Pratt and others will discuss the sustainable future opened up by 'living heritage.'

Special sessions and cooperative programs organized by government entities, international organizations, and universities will also take place on October 8 and 9. These include the '3rd East Asia-Latin America Cooperation Forum (FEALAC) Cultural City Network Meeting' hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Gyeongju City, the 'APEC 1st Anniversary Seminar,' and the 'Korea-ASEAN Sustainable Innovation Program,' among others.

Various side events will be available for participants during the forum. These include a robotics exhibition under the theme 'Coexistence of Humans and Technology,' traditional tea culture events, and special performances of traditional Korean clown and Arirang presented by the Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Organization, among other cultural programs.

The 'World Gyeongju Forum' is open to everyone, and more information can be found on the official website.

Minister Choi Hwi-young stated, "Gyeongju is a city with a thousand years of history and the historical site where last year's APEC Summit was held, which declared culture as a key economic driver for a sustainable future for humanity. I hope the 'World Gyeongju Forum' will be an opportunity to establish concrete measures for the 'Gyeongju Declaration' and set a new milestone for shared prosperity encompassing culture, industry, nations, and generations."

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