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D. Villepin: Address to Summit 2022, Session III
Written by H.E. Dominique de Villepin, Prime Minister (2005-2007), France
Friday, August 12, 2022
Address to Summit 2022 and Leadership Conference,
Seoul, Korea, August 11-15, 2022
Excellencies and Dear Friends: Our world is facing huge uncertainties and tensions because we are going through a massive transition, aggravated by the impact of the world pandemic.
We face a geopolitical transition with the shift of global power from the West to the East as shown by the historical rise of China.
Never before has the risk of war been higher than today. We should not forget the threat of nuclear proliferation becoming the major danger to international stability, as shown by the Iranian and North Korean crises. According to many estimates, North Korea could have between 20 and 45 warheads, or even more.
We are in a defining moment.
In order to have a fruitful dialogue, the strategy should be based on political, cultural and social interactions responding to the aspirations of both people and regimes.
First, peace depends on the willingness for change.
Second, peace depends on the willingness for cultural dialogue. Peacebuilding makes it crucial to foster mutual understanding. That’s why art, education, universities, foundations, churches and NGO’s are necessary in facilitating cross-border exchanges.
Third, peace also depends on the willingness for economic cooperation. In this regard, companies, banks and entrepreneurs have a major role to play in ensuring prosperity and development.
With determination, pragmatism and of course imagination, we might be able to take the lessons of the past and face the challenges of today’s world, setting an example for the new generations.
We have an opportunity today. We should seize it.
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