CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
UN DESA - KSC International Seminar on Strengthening Local Governance through Saemaul Undong for Effective Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (18 September 2025)
August 18, 2025
Organised by
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through
its Project Office – United Nations Project office on Governance (UNPOG) of the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) ,
Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea (MOIS), and
Korea Saemaul Undong Center (KSC)
Background
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through its Project Office in Governance (UNPOG) of the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), in collaboration with the Korea Saemaul Undong Center (KSC), is organizing an International Seminar on “Strengthening Local Governance through Saemaul Undong for Effective Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” at the Global Saemaul Leadership Forum on 18 September 2025, in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
This international recognition and adaptation of Saemaul Undong principles align strategically with the UN's current emphasis on multilevel governance and community-centered approaches to sustainable development. As countries seek to accelerate progress toward the SDGs amid complex and evolving development landscapes, fostering inclusive, participatory, and integrated governance at the local level will remain vital. Embracing such models not only empowers communities but also strengthens the global commitment to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
The timing of this seminar coincides with significant developments in UN approaches to local governance and multilevel cooperation. These developments create an opportune moment to examine how the Saemaul Undong can operationalize these emerging frameworks and contribute to the accelerated SDG implementation that the 2025 progress reports deem urgently necessary.
This year’s forum, UN DESA/UNPOG co-hosts a dedicated seminar to explore how the Saemaul Undong can strengthen local governance and contribute to the effective implementation of the SDGs in diverse contexts at regional/local level.
Objectives
As Saemaul Undong remains to be a significant model for local development through its core principles of diligence, self-help and cooperation, this seminar seeks to re-examine its contemporary significance, explore alignment with the 2030 Agenda, and assess its potential for broader application. Hence, under this primary objective, the seminar will:
- Explore how Saemaul Undong principles can operationalize the Secretary-General's Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments recommendations for 'strengthening capacities, devolved authority, and financing the implementation of national priorities and objectives, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- Examine the contemporary significance and key achievements of the Saemaul Undong as a local development model and its continued relevance in today’s development context.
- Explore the role of effective, accountable and inclusive governance particularly at local level for accelerating the implementation of the SDGs through the lens of the Saemaul Undong.
- Share practical case studies and innovative practices that demonstrate the integration of SDG principles into Saemaul Undong-based programmes, offering actionable insights for policymakers and local leaders.
- Assess the potential for the expansion, adaptability, and sustainability of Saemaul Undong in diverse regional/local contexts.
- Facilitate continued international collaboration through periodic seminars and knowledge exchange initiatives that support the localization of the SDGs through the Saemaul model.
Document(s)
Contact Information
UN DESA/DPIDG
Mr. Juwang Zhu, Director, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), UN DESA
Ms. Adriana Alberti, Chief, Programme Management and Capacity Development Unit, DPIDG), UN DESA | alberti@un.org
UNPOG/DPIDG/UN DESA
Mr. Changseob Han, Head of Office, United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG)/DPIDG/UN DESA
Mr. SangGwang Kim, Senior Programme Management Expert, UNPOG/DPIDG/UN DESA
Ms. Carolit Grace Salvacion, Associate Networking and Outreach Expert, UNPOG/DPIDG/UN DESA | carolit.salvacion@un.org
Mr. Jin Seong Choi, Associate Research and Policy Analysis Expert, UNPOG/DPIDG/UN DESA | jin.choi1@un.org
