“2024 Knowledge Exchange Days (KED)” successfully took place at the GKEDC

• The inaugural 2024 Knowledge Exchange Days (KED) took place successfully from October 31 (Thu) to November 1 (Fri), hosted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) and organized by KDI and GKEDC. Under the theme "Digital Transformation for Better Lives," this first-ever event offered a rich array of programs, including a conference, knowledge forums, a special exhibition, education programs, and a cultural night. It provided a vibrant platform for both domestic and international participants to build networks and explore practical solutions.

• Conference 「Digital Transformation for Better Lives」

  The main conference, which highlighted the first day of the 2024 KED, brought together leading international organizations, private enterprises and public institutions to engage in a multifaceted discussion on digital transformation across economic and social sectors.    
  
  In the opening ceremony, 1st Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, Beomseok Kim, emphasized in his opening remarks that "To emerge as a global pivotal state, we must not limit ourselves to internal concerns but pursue collective efforts through knowledge exchange to address global challenges.” Following this, KDI President Dong Chul Cho highlighted the essential role of think tanks in his welcoming remarks, stating that “Think tanks should foster international knowledge exchange and act as bridges linking domestic and global discussions to devise solutions for pressing global issues.” Wencai Zhang, Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the World Bank Group (WBG), send a video message remarking that "Digital transformation is not merely about technological change but a pathway to achieving the WB's mission of ending poverty on a livable planet,” and expressed a commitment to expanding multi-dimensional partnerships with Korea.

[Keynote]
The keynote speeches featured Daeje Chin, Former Minister of Information and Communication, and Amy Doherty, Chief Information Officer and Vice President, Information & Technology Solutions of the WBG, who addressed the role of digital transformation and future challenges. Former Minister Chin described the next decade as the ‘Era of AI Innovation,’ stressing that "To survive in the AI-driven innovation competition, enterprises must relentlessly pursue change.”
 

[Session1. Illuminating Innovative Avenues]
Session 1, chaired by Sang Kyun Cha, Founding Dean of Graduate School of Data Science, Seoul Nat'l Univ, brought together panelists from Hyundai Motor Company, CJ Logistics, Naver, and Yanolja. The session focused on exploring digital solutions designed to maximize positive outcomes in productivity and efficiency.

[Session2. Casting Light for Change]
Session 2, chaired by M. Jae Moon, Underwood Distinguished Professor, Yonsei Univ., featured experts from POSCO, K-water, Medical IP, and the Korea Social Security Information Service. The panel delved into strategies to minimize the everyday challenges across socioeconomic sectors and to ensure benefits of digital transformation are equitably distributed worldwide.

[Session3. Navigating Digital Challenges Around the Globe]
Session 3 featured an esteemed panel including Maengho Shin, Head of UNIDO ITPO Korea, Donghyun Park, Economic Advisor at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Namawu Alolo Alhassan, Division Manager, Knowledge Management & Information Services of the Afican Development Bank (AfDB), and Sheila Jagannathan, Senior Consultant of the AfDB. Jason Allford, Special Representative of WB Korea Office served as the moderator, guiding discussions on each institution's digital transformation initiatives and future directions.

[Roundtable. Lighting Up the Way Forward: Digital Transformation for Sustainable and Inclusive Future]
Following roundtable discussion, led by Dongsoo Kang, Executive Director of the KDI GKEDC, participants delved into the challenges and sustainability of digital transformation. The session included Eric K. Ogunleye, Director of African Development Institute at the AfDB, Zaki Khoury, Senior Digital Development Specialist at the WB, Emilio Pineda, Manager of Institutions for Development Sector at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Jaesik Shin, Deputy Director General for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Economy and Finance. Dr. Kang emphasized that “Developing AI and software specialists can be a pathway to closing the digital divide” and called for strategic planning in this area.

 

• Knowledge Forum

  The Knowledge Forum, a highlight of the second day, was conducted in a more casual atmosphere to foster flexible and open dialogue as participants explored pathways for the future in the digital era.
  
  [KED Talk]
  A session was organized to engage in a deeper discussion on developing AI and software specialists, the main topic of the first day’s roundtable. Chaired by Professor Lee Chan of School of Transdisciplinary Innovations & Vocational Education and Workforce Development at the Seoul Nat’l Univ., the panel included Sheila Jagannathan, Independent Senior Consultant of WB Open Learning Campus, along with representatives from Samsung and SK Group departments dedicated to fostering young talent.
  
  [Startup Stage]
  A session was prepared to introduce AI-based startups, highlighting those dedicated to climate-tech and working towards a more sustainable, greener future. . Chaired by Donghyun Park, Economic Advisor at the ADB, the discussion featured panelists such as Zaki Khoury, Senior Digital Development Specialist at the WB, along with representatives from Gridwiz, Korea Green Data, SIA, and Ecopeace. This platform provided an opportunity to gain integrated perspectives from international organizations and startups on the impact of AI on the climate crisis.
   

  

• Special Exhibition

  In conjunction with the 2024 KED, an opening ceremony was held for a special exhibition on digital twins, attended by prominent figures from KDI and MOEF, along with various international organizations and private companies that contributed to this exhibition contents. Titled "Digital Twin: A New Horizon for Problem Solving,” the exhibition, open until September 30, 2025, traces the development of digital twins from their origins to their current and future advancements. Through a range of real-world applications, it explores the new horizons that digital twins are pioneering.
   

• Side Events

  Various activities were organized as side events, including capacity-building workshop on sustainable smart cities, education program, a book curation and a cultural night. 
   

  

  
  [Capacity-Building Workshop] 
  “2024 KDI GKEDC Capacity-Building Workshop on Sustainable Smart Cities (Oct.27-Nov.2, 2024)”, provided key partner countries, including ASEAN member states, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia, with tailored sessions focused on smart city policies and technologies. Participants engaged in lectures, site visits, business meetings, and project proposal seminars*, exploring smart mobility, security, and environment. The program effectively addressed each country's policy needs, strengthening practical capabilities and fostering cooperation. They also attended the 2024 KED, where they engaged in discussions with fellow participants on achieving sustainable digital transformation. Participants appreciated the opportunity, noting the strengthened collaboration with South Korea and the potential for future partnerships.
  *The project proposals submitted by each participating organization were refined with feedback from expert advisors, and the finalized proposals will be submitted through diplomatic channels.
   

  

  
  [Education Program]
  The digital education sessions, aimed at international students, focused on "Digital Literacy: Exploring Economic Development with Data” and "I am a Short-form Creator.” The program provided training on data analysis and video production using digital devices, equipping participants with effective skills for utilizing digital technology.
   

  

  
  [KED Night]
  Finally, KED’s Night featured appearances by Taegee Min, Director of S&H Co.Ltd, Sangheon Lee, CEO & Founder of the MetaLocat, Virtual Artist APOKI, and noted artists (Baek A-yeon, SURL, Kim Neuk), lightening the mood. The concert, which brought together both domestic and international attendees along with community residents, embodied the vision of "From Exchange to Empathy,” drawing down a curtain in the grand finale.

• Written by:
  Yuna Kim, Research Associate, Global Knowledge Cooperation Team 1, 02-6312-4084, yuna_kim@kdi.re.kr