The 21st World Knowledge Forum, Asia’s largest annual business agenda event hosted by South Korea’s Maekyung Media Group, will be held as planned in September in Seoul with focus on pandemic influence on the global order.

Under the title of “Pandenomics Perspective: Shaping New Global Symbiosis”, the forum arranges 100 discussion sessions under seven agendas – pandenomics; new capitalism; live green, healthy and happy; better tech & business; reshaping global governance; Asia’s role & responsibility; startup festival – to explore solutions to battle COVID-19 crisis and address new environment challenges after the pandemic.

This year’s high-profile speakers include former UK prime minister Theresa May and John Hennessy, chairman of Alphabet, Inc., Google’s parent company. For discussions, Stephen Schwarzman, co-founder and CEO of private equity firm Blackstone, Kevin Sneader, global managing partner of McKinsey & Company, and Angel Gurría, secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development will participate.

Under the “pandenomics” track, globally renowned pandemic experts together with corporate and political leaders will discuss how a pandemic affects the economy and ways to cope with the challenges in this “new normal” age after COVID-19.

The “new capital” track will focus on the global economic uncertainties, including trade disputes and “bounce-back” strategies for the economic recovery and sustainable growth such as environmental, social and corporate governance strategies.

The “live green, healthy and happy” track will introduce various “life-enhancing” sessions for healthier and happier life, including lectures on brain science that has gained popularity as a way to cope with coronavirus blues.

The “better tech & business” track will focus on latest technologies that are transforming our lives, ranging from artificial intelligence and robotics to cloud computing to e-commerce.

For the “reshaping global governance” track, experts from internationally-renowned think tanks have been invited to discuss global leadership in the face of the present challenges in the world from a pandemic-triggered recession to Brexit and geopolitical conflicts in Middle East.

In the “Asia’s role & responsibility” track, corporate, political, and academic leaders of Asia will talk about Asia’s new role and responsibility in the world to make a better future for all.

The “startup festival” track designed to offer business insights for novice entrepreneurs will include various sessions, from lectures and discussions to IR events.

The 21st World Knowledge Forum will be held from Sept. 16 to 18, at Jangchung Arena and Shilla Hotel in central Seoul, with both online and offline sessions. Registration deadline is Sept. 4.

For detailed information, please visit www.wkforum.org or contact the WKF secretariat at +822-2000-2411~8, +822-2000-2620~2.

By Yoo Joo-yeon and Cho Jeehyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]