A three-day international forum on a wide range of regional and global issues including security, environment, energy, culture and education will begin on Jeju Island on Wednesday, organizers said.

Themed “New Waves in Asia,” the 8th Jeju Forum for Peace & Prosperity will bring in some 3,000 experts, government officials and politicians from some 40 countries for in-depth discussions to explore solutions to the pressing issues.

“The Jeju Forum this year will focus on presenting a new vision for mutual cooperation and a breakthrough for the current crisis to enhance the promotion of regional cooperation and community-building in Asia for the future,” said Jeju Governor and organizing committee chief Woo Keun-min.

Hosted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the International Peace Foundation, the East Asia Foundation and the JoongAng Ilbo, the annual forum at Haevichi Hotel & Resort consists of some 50 academic and practical sessions.

Among the participants are former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, world-renowned financial commentator and investor Jim Rogers, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Japanese Culture, Education, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hakubun Shimomura.

On Thursday, keynote speakers including Hatoyama will share their views of the changing role of Asia in the international community and vision for regional cooperation in the region. Rogers will address a special session on the world economy and investment strategies.

Freda Miriklis, the chief of Business & Professional Woman International, one of the world’s most influential women’s networks, will also join the forum to share her views on how nations can achieve their full economic potential through gender equality.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)