2025 Korean Geographical Society Conference – Thematic Session, June 27 (Friday)

Theme: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Future Earth, and Post-2030 SDGs
Venue: Korea Institute for National Unification
Hosted by: Korea Committee for Future Earth, Korean Academy of Science and Technology, KOICA, National Institute for Unification Education, A3 Foresight Program (Network for Future Earth), Korean Geographical Society
Organized by: Future Earth Program, SNUAC

Event Overview & Objectives

In the face of rapid climate and environmental changes and increasing geopolitical complexity, this session aims to explore ways to:

• Expand Korea’s international contribution to the implementation of the SDGs

• Establish cooperative networks to support peacebuilding in Northeast Asia

Key Objectives:

– Build a Northeast Asia platform for sustainable development cooperation
– Explore multilateral cooperation networks led by local governments and civil society
– Propose climate and environment-based peace cooperation models for the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia
– Establish domestic and international research networks for the Post-SDGs agenda

Program Schedule

Part 1 (14:00–15:50): Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speeches
Moderator: SooJin Park (Seoul National University)

• 14:00 – 14:10 Welcome Address and Introduction to Future Earth
  Soon-Chang Yoon (Chair, Korea Committee for Future Earth)
  “Achieving the SDGs and Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Future Earth”

• 14:10 – 14:20 Congratulatory Remarks
  Jin-Ho Jung (President, Korean Academy of Science and Technology)
  “The Role of Science and Technology in Achieving the SDGs”

• 14:20 – 14:50
  Prof. Kyung-Ja Ha (Pusan National University)
  “Networking Climate Change Hubs for Promoting Future Earth Over Northeast Asia”

• 14:50 – 15:20
  Prof. Anik Bhaduri (Australian National University)
  “Asia Science Mission (ASM): A Meta-Network Hub Initiative for Sustainability in Asia”

• 15:20 – 15:50
  Prof. Alexander Murphy (University of Oregon, Former President of the American Geographical Society)
  “Political Uncertainty in Asia and Sustainable Development”

15:50 – 16:00 Break

Part 2 (16:00–18:00): Diagnosing Mega-Trends in Korea and Asia and Core Issues for Achieving the SDGs
Moderator: Joon Kim (Seoul National University, Korea Committee for Future Earth)

• 16:00 – 16:20
  Young-Hee Cho (Korea Immigration Policy Institute)
  “Population Structure Changes, Social Transformation, and Migration”

• 16:20 – 16:40
  Ki-Beom Nam (University of Seoul)
  “Megacities, Regional Decline, and Spatial Sustainability”

• 16:40 – 17:00
  Shin-Won Yoon (Geography Teachers Network, Seongnam High School)
  “Education and Social Awareness Transformation for a Sustainable Future”

• 17:00 – 17:20
  GoWoon Kim (SNUAC)
  “Building International Cooperation Networks to Enhance Spatial Sustainability in the Post-SDGs Era”

• 17:20 – 18:00
  Panel Discussion:
  Toward an Asia Meta-Science Hub for Achieving SDGs and Peace in Northeast Asia