Distinguished speakers included:

Hon. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General, United Nations (2007-2016)

H.E. José Manuel Barroso, President, European Commission (2004-14) (EU-Nobel Laureate)

Hon. David Beasley, Executive Director, UN World Food Programme (WFP-Nobel Laureate)

Prof. Sarah Gilbert, Co-Developer, Oxford Vaccine

H.E. Mike Pence, Vice-President of the United States (2017-2021)

Hon. Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State (2018-2021)

Hon. Mark Esper, United States Secretary of Defense (2019-2020)

Hon. Newt Gingrich, Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (1995-1999)

Rev. Jonathan Falwell, Senior Pastor, Thomas Road Baptist Church

Mr. Jim Rogers, Chairman, Beeland Interests, Inc.

“THINK TANK 2022” to Reunify Korean Peninsula Inaugurated during Virtual 6th Rally of Hope - 2,000+ Experts Worldwide Affirm New Initiative Aimed Toward Peace

Seoul, Korea — World leaders and experts joined more than a million global participants for the launch of “Think Tank 2022” on May 9 2021 during the virtual 6th Rally of Hope for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Think Tank 2022 is a global multi-sector network of more than 2,000 experts from a wide range of fields - politics, business, academia, faith, media, arts and culture.

“This network will make a difference for peace on the Korean Peninsula through international unity,” said Ban Ki-Moon, former United Nations Secretary-General and chairman of the new initiative. “I applaud Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and UPF.” Speakers from the peninsula, including former Republic of Korea Prime Minister Chung Sye-Kyun praised the timeliness of Think Tank 2022 where “international cooperation and solidarity is needed now more than ever,” said Chung. Parliamentarians and governors of South Korean provinces, where Think Tank 2022 will be presented, expressed their support for this initiative.

World-class leaders including the rally’s 12 keynote speakers affirmed and enhanced the concept of Think Tank 2022. Former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso reminded the audience “Peace is a set of mind, benevolence, confidence and justice and at the basis of peace is the human being. One important value is the value of human dignity. The corona virus has shown us once more the need for global and cooperative action”. Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, “I commend you for coming together at this event to continue to sow the seeds of peace, believing that in time we will reap a harvest of peace that will benefit the people of Korea, the United States and all mankind.”

Born in present-day North Korea, UPF co-founders Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and her late husband, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, fled to the south during the Korean War and have devoted their lives to advancing a more peaceful world and reuniting Korea. Think Tank 2022 will spearhead peacebuilding initiatives such as a UN Peace Park on the DMZ; building a Korea-Japan undersea tunnel; boosting Geumgang Mountain tourism development; and helping separated Korean families find their relatives.

Mr. David Beasly, executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme, 2020 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, said, “This rally is reaching across continents, uniting people all over the world in a spirit of peace, mutual prosperity and public service. Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives said: “Think Tank 2022 offers a new way for people from multiple nations to work together outside the traditional, formal structures”. “A reunified, denuclearized Korean Peninsula will bring massive peace and prosperity to the peninsula and to the region” said Mike Pompeo, former U.S. Secretary of State and CIA Director. “Times of crisis often tend to be the moments of greatest opportunity,” said Mark Esper, former U.S. Secretary of Defense.

From Africa, Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi recalled that Africans took part in the Korean War and long for peace and democracy in that region. The peaceful reunification of Korea will lead to “explosive growth,” said renowned American businessman and investor Mr. Jim Rogers. “If trains run through the DMZ and cars run on highways, there will be endless economic development opportunities... benefiting not only the two Koreas, but also China, Russia, Japan and Asia and the whole world.”

Peace wishes were given by Rev. Jonathan Falwell, senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Virginia; Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani; El Salvador Vice President Felix Ulloa; Prof. Sarah Gilbert, a virologist who co-developed the Oxford Vaccine in response to COVID-19.

Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and world leaders from all continents signed a resolution formally establishing Think Tank 2022.