TCS

On May 14, 2026, Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and Ms. HWANG Jiyeon, Dean of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation (HUFS GSIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the TCS office in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This MOU marks the beginning of broader cooperation between TCS and HUFS GSIT in academic, linguistic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges, while opening new avenues for collaboration.As an initial cooperative project, the two sides will jointly host the “5th Trilateral Youth Speech Contest (TYSC 2026)” at HUFS in July 2026.▲TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup met with HUFS GSIT Dean Ms. HWANG Jiyeon▲MOU Signing Ceremony

On May 13th, 2026, the 5th Forum on Carbon Neutrality Goals of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea was held in Tokyo, Japan, co-organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and Waseda University. Under the theme ‘demographic shifts and carbon neutrality’, the Forum brought together experts and activists to share case studies on policymaking and grassroots level climate action. Through his opening remarks, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup explained the unique position of China, Japan, and Korea, as they make up nearly 30% of the world’s older population, which are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. He emphasized that climate policies must be more inclusive and responsive to this specific need, and further introduced the current efforts mandated at the 9th Trilateral Summit. He also highlighted that the theme of this Forum was especially timely, as it closely follows the 82nd Session of ESCAP held in April, where TCS signed an MOU with UNESCAP. Dr. SATO Yoichi, Dean of School of Social Sciences of Waseda University delivered his opening remarks by demonstrating the complexity of modern challenges, such as environment, economy, and welfare. He explained that this Forum is interactive platform where research, policy, and actions come together, an example of academia knowledge being shared with society rather than remaining only as theory. Additionally, he introduced Waseda University’s carbon neutral efforts such as the WASEDA Carbon Net Zero Challenge in 2021 and establishment of the Waseda Center for a Carbon Neutral Society in 2022.Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, delivered her opening remarks online, focusing on the need to develop an integrated understanding of how climate change affects ageing populations and sustainable development strategies. She stressed that trilateral cooperation has the opportunity to play a strategic role in leading collaboration in these two issues, and ensure sustainable development is just and socially responsible.The openings were followed by a recorded keynote speech from Mr. Selwin Charles Hart, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action and Assistant Secretary-General for the Climate Action Team. Mr. Hart urged the region to accelerable the transition to renewable energies in order to achieve carbon neutrality in East Asia. While he commended the efforts by China, Japan, and Korea for their achievements in employing clean energy in their industries, he also stressed that the three countries must assist and cooperate with other countries, as transitions are concentrated in certain countries. In Session 1, policy experts from academia shared latest research on the nexus of population ageing and carbon neutrality, analyzing the impact of climate crisis on health, poverty, and human rights of the elderly. They further shared their perspectives on how the NDCs could better accommodate various age groups.Session 2 invited stakeholders from NGOs and research institutes to share their endeavors in providing inclusive solutions for carbon neutrality in an ageing society. The session speakers introduced their organization’s work in promoting age-friendly communities and creating solidarity across all age groups for climate action. During the discussion, speakers exchanged their views with the audience, especially on cross-sectoral and cross-country cooperation in addressing ageing and decarbonization.  ▲Opening remarks by TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup▲Opening remarks by Dr. SATO Yoichi, Dean of School of Social Sciences at Waseda University▲Discussion during Session 1▲Presentation during Session 2

On May 13, 2025, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup, Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji, and Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang (collectively as the 7th Consultative Board) attended a dinner hosted by ROK Foreign Minister CHO Hyun. The dinner was also attended by Ambassador MIZUSHIMA Koichi of Japan to the ROK and Ambassador DAI Bing of China to the ROK.Minister CHO commended the TCS for its achievements in advancing trilateral cooperation over the past 15 years since its establishment and encouraged the TCS to continue playing an active role in consolidating the foundation of trilateral cooperation and promoting future-oriented cooperation among the three countries.SG LEE expressed his appreciation to Minister CHO for hosting the meaningful gathering and expressed his gratitude for the Korean government’s unwavering support for trilateral cooperation and the TCS. He emphasized that, despite the recent challenging circumstances surrounding trilateral cooperation, the TCS has continued to promote various initiatives and exchange programs, including youth exchanges, grassroots-level cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and joint forums with the UN. SG LEE noted that such efforts represent the very mandate and raison d’être of the TCS. He further reaffirmed that the TCS will remain fully dedicated to actively support the three governments and fulfill its role in promoting future-oriented cooperation and common prosperity.

On May 8–9, the 2026 RCEP Media & Think Tank Forum was held in Haikou, China, under the theme “Working Together to Address Challenges and Promote Development.” The Forum was jointly organized by China Daily, the China Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD), the China Oceanic Development Foundation, and the Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies. Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) LEE Hee-sup attended the Forum and delivered remarks at the Plenary Session.In his remarks, Secretary-General LEE emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable growth under RCEP amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties. He also highlighted the role of Northeast Asia in advancing regional integration and strengthening supply chain resilience through trilateral cooperation mechanisms.At the opening ceremony, CHI Fulin, President of CIRD and the Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies, QU Yingpu, President and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, and LV Bin, Chairman of the China Oceanic Development Foundation, delivered remarks. A research report led by CIRD on advancing higher-standard RCEP cooperation amid geopolitical changes was also released during the ceremony.▲SG LEE delivering remarks▲Plenary Session