WKF 2018 opens in Seoul with a call for a digitalized world

SEOUL – The 19th World Knowledge Forum (WKF 2018), one of Asia's largest business forums, opened here Wednesday with a call to all nations to overcome global challenges through collective intelligence.

In her keynote address, President Kersti Kaljulaid of Estonia emphasized that “digital is a great equalizer of societies” and called on every nation to “adapt and digitalize the world.” Estonia developed a digital ID called e-residency with blockchain technology that dissolved national borders.

In his welcoming remarks,

WKF chairman and Maekyung Media Group president Chang Dae-whan said WKF 2018 seeks to reflect the situation the world is facing – political, economic, and social uncertainties brought about by the global trade war, the denuclearization of North Korea, unrest in Syria, the fast growing refugee population, and climate change.

“Today, we are still in the same picture that characterized the 17th century pandemonium with the lack of leadership, nationalism, financial crises, and natural disasters. Protectionism has gained ground under the ‘America First’ slogan. US President Donald Trump is trying to shake up the trade order. He is also restructuring the international order as seen in the case of WTO, NATO, and UN. Meanwhile, China is strengthening its global influence in all arenas, expanding the diplomatic, military, and economic power,” Chang said.

He suggested that middle powers in Asia such as South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand should take a more active role in global governance.

Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who co-chairs WKF 2018, said the world is going through pronounced changes and this is resulting in elevated uncertainties and new risks.

To cope with the global challenges, Ban said durable solutions must be pursued by forming strong international partnerships.

“Even if some countries turn inwards and populism spreads, we must remember that global problems inherently require global solutions,” he stressed.

Ban also expressed disappointment and regret over the decision of the US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.

"The international community does not accept this decision of the US and even deplores the lack of multilateralism of the US in the fight against global challenges," he stressed.

He urged the UN to take the lead in promoting multilateralism and advancing critical diplomatic efforts.

"Nobody, no nation can solve these issues alone. Let us work together to make this world better for all," Ban urged.

Kaljulaid, in her speech, said: "We accept that the world is changing. We have to create legal ecosystem for these changes."