Global Leaders Gather in Incheon to Accelerate SDG Progress through AI and Innovation at 9th Regional Symposium
September 26, 2025
Incheon, Republic of Korea – The 9th Regional Symposium on Effective Governance and AI Transformation, organized by UNPOG/DPIDG of UN DESA in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea and Incheon Metropolitan City, successfully concluded on 26 September 2025.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Institutions through Technology and Innovation for SDG Acceleration,” the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Li Junhua, opened the Symposium by emphasizing that “the clock is ticking” toward the 2030 deadline. Mr. Li also underscored that the path forward must be paved with innovation and inclusion, noting, “AI is not just a buzzword; it's a critical frontier for public sector innovation. It has the potential to fundamentally reshape how we serve our communities, making services faster, smarter, and more accessible.”
With only five years left to achieve the 2030 Agenda, the Symposium called for bold, transformative action to accelerate SDG progress. Discussions highlighted artificial intelligence as a powerful tool for inclusive and ethical transformation, while stressing that skilling public servants, reshaping institutional culture and strengthening leadership are as vital as algorithms. The Republic of Korea’s approach to AI-driven public sector innovation was presented alongside findings from UN DESA’s 2024 UN E-Government Survey.
Ms. Aminata Touré, High Representative of the President of the Republic of Senegal and UN CEPA Member, stated, “AI is gaining real momentum in Africa, and governments must adopt a leapfrogging strategy—grounded in inclusion—to accelerate progress across all development sectors.”
H.E. Ms. Helen Aitsi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Papua New Guinea to the Republic of Koreahighlighted Papua New Guinea’s ICT leadership in the Pacific, noting that its GovCloud now hosts 90 percent of national government systems and that the upcoming launch of the Sevis Pass Digital ID and Sevis Portal will form the backbone of its Digital Public Infrastructure to drive inclusion, trust and efficiency in governance.
Speakers also emphasized that innovation must start with communities and young innovators, guided by behavioural science and strategic foresight to remove hidden barriers and build resilient, citizen-centred institutions.
Above all, the Symposium affirmed that leaving no one behind must anchor every aspect of AI-driven transformation so its benefits close gaps rather than widen them.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Min Jae Kim, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea, emphasized, “As AI advances at an unprecedented pace, it is essential to establish robust ethical frameworks and systems to keep up with its developments. We also need a trustworthy administration that actively stands with and serves the public, ensuring that technology benefits everyone.”
The Symposium also placed a strong focus on regional collaboration, fostering partnerships and capacity development to advance governance models that support the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants explored local and youth-led governance models using AI for SDG progress, which were highlighted as innovative examples of how grassroots efforts can drive meaningful change.
The 9th Regional Symposium served as a critical moment for countries in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond to come together, share insights and collaborate on creating a more inclusive, sustainable and technologically advanced future for all.
The annual event, held from 24 to 26 September, brought together over 400 in-person participants and more than 1,300 online attendees from over 50 countries. Public sector leaders, policymakers, technology innovators and development experts gathered in Incheon to explore the role of artificial intelligence in accelerating progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
