TCS

On September 9th,Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup warmly welcomed a delegation from the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) to the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). The delegation was led by Ms. Wang Li, Deputy Director General of Department of Bilateral Cooperation of CCOIC, and included representatives from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Commercial Legal Service Center, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), as well as members of the business community. During the meeting, both sides shared updates on their respective initiatives in the fields of ESG and sustainable development, and held in-depth discussions on potential areas of collaboration. The exchange underscored the mutual interest of TCS and CCOIC in promoting regional cooperation and advancing sustainable growth through practical projects. SG LEE expressed appreciation for CCOIC’s longstanding efforts in facilitating economic cooperation and emphasized TCS’ readiness to work with CCOIC and relevant partners to explore concrete cooperation opportunities.▲Group photo

On September 5-6, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) participated in the International Symposium on Combating Desertification and Promoting Greening, held in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. The symposium was co-organized by the Alxa League Haraahot Ecological and Cultural Protection Association, Japanese OISCA International College, and the Ejin Banner Forestry and Grassland Bureau, supported by JICA China office. The event brought together experts and officials from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan. TCS Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji delivered opening remarks.In his remarks, DSG ZUSHI emphasized that environmental cooperation, including the fight against desertification, has long been a driving force of the trilateral partnership. He highlighted the importance of the "Trilateral + X" cooperation model to address global challenges and affirmed that the symposium aligns with the commitment to sustainable development outlined in the 9th Trilateral Summit Joint Declaration.The symposium featured two main sessions. The first session included an opening ceremony, a tree-planting activity, and a site inspection of the Suhe Afforestation Site. The second session focused on academic presentations by experts from the participating countries. Notable speakers included Dr. Xiao Jianhua from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Naoko Matsuo from Mie University, Professor Tatsuaki Kobayashi from Chiba University, and Professor Yowhan Son from Korea University, and Professor Berdiyar Jollibekov from Karakalpak Institute of Agriculture and Agrotechnology. As a part of the program, meeting participants made field trips to Juyanhai, to learn about the long-term efforts against desertification.This symposium served as a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and successful case studies, fostering a stronger international network for environmental stewardship.▲DSG ZUSHI Shuji delivering remarks▲MU Ren, Deputy Chief of Ejin Banner Alxa League delivering remarks▲TAKEUCHI Kazuo, Chief Representative of JICA China delivering remarks▲Meeting in progress▲Group Photo▲Tree Planting Ceremony

On September 3, 2025, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup, Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji and Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang (collectively as the 7th “Consultative Board”) paid a courtesy call on H.E. CHO Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.Minister CHO welcomed the TCS delegation and commended the TCS for its meaningful contributions in advancing trilateral cooperation. Reflecting on his own participation in the Future Leaders Forum in 2002, he expressed his continued interest in trilateral cooperation, emphasizing the importance of fostering next-generation exchange and people-to-people exchange. He acknowledged TCS’s efforts to promote practical cooperation among the three countries and affirmed the ROK government’s continued support.SG LEE expressed his deep gratitude for the Minister’s warm welcome and the ROK government’s unwavering support for trilateral cooperation and the TCS. He also appreciated Korea’s proactive leadership as the chair of the most recent Trilateral Summit, which played a key role in revitalizing the trilateral process. SG LEE highlighted that the TCS has been prioritizing future-oriented cooperation and expressed hope for continued support from the three foreign ministries to jointly realize these initiatives. DSG ZUSHI and YAN also expressed appreciation for the ROK’s support, emphasizing the importance of the three countries moving forward together to achieve lasting progress.▲Group Photo▲Meeting in progress

On August 27, 2025, the delegation from the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), led by Dean Professor KAWAGUCHI Daiji, visited the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for GraSPP’s active promotion of TCS youth exchange initiatives and their continued support for the internship program at TCS. SG LEE also emphasized the importance of the CAMPUS Asia Program and expressed hope for deeper collaboration with GraSPP for future projects planned to be held in Japan. Professor KAWAGUCHI showed enthusiasm for future collaboration, indicating strong willingness in sharing details of those upcoming programs with both current students and alumni. He emphasized that such engagement would be meaningful for the university community and reaffirmed GraSPP’s commitment to promoting trilateral cooperation through youth exchange. He also expressed hope that TCS would continue its cooperation with GraSPP and advocate for enhancing the CAMPUS Asia Program, in order to broaden its impact across the region.▲Professor KAWAGUCHI Daiji, Dean of GraSPP at The University of Tokyo and SG LEE▲Group Photo