3 June 2022, Geneva, Switzerland – UNITAR's Division for Multilateral Diplomacy was pleased to receive a visit from a delegation of the Global Inter-Gangwon Cooperation Network, sponsored by the Government of Gangwon last month on 16 May 2022. The visit was arranged with the kind support of the Global Hope Network International (GHNI).

Located between North and South Korea, the Gangwon Province and the Global Inter-Gangwon Cooperation Network aim at the establishment of a "peace zone'' for tourism and industrial development in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and seek international support for this endeavor. Thus, the Gangwon Province will host the upcoming 2024 Winter Youth Olympics. Officially known as the IV Winter Youth Olympic Games and commonly known as Gangwon 2024, this event opens the door to promising opportunities for public diplomacy and the promotion of peace.

During a joint tour through the Palais des Nations in Geneva, UNITAR's Division for Multilateral Diplomacy and the Global Inter-Gangwon Cooperation Network were exploring avenues of cooperation in the field of Sports Diplomacy and Peace. The visit of the delegation culminated with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Global Inter-Gangwon Cooperation Network and UNITAR.

UNITAR and the members of the delegation will have the opportunity to connect again during Global Inter-Gangwon Cooperation Network Conference in Seoul, Pyeongchang, Goseon, Yangu, and Chuncheon at the end of June 2022. Under the theme "Inter-Gangwon Initiative and Regions in Conflict Worldwide - A Vision & Strategy for Peace and Prosperity", this will be an exciting platform for international cooperation, peace promotion and public diplomacy.