A U.N.-backed international forum to discuss challenges and strategies for improving governance and public administration opened in Seoul Tuesday.
Some 5,000 delegates from 141 nations, including heads of state, ministers, senior officials and members of corporate and civil groups, are to take part in the four-day Global Forum on Reinventing Government, organizers said.
They include Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmonov, and Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, among others.
The global forum is the first U.N.-sponsored international gathering on recreating government in the Asia-Pacific region. The forum is the largest international conference ever hosted by South Korea, organizers said.
In an opening speech, President Roh Moo-hyun said the South Korean government is enhancing its competitiveness through decentralization and deregulation with the aim of helping innovate the government and reform markets.
"The aim of our government innovation is building an effective, transparent and decentralized government which serves and is with people," he said.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
