KIM Yong Jae is an international development professional with over 15 years of experience in intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, dedicated to advancing regional cooperation and sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific. He has demonstrated strong leadership in driving innovation and building effective public–private partnerships, with a particular focus on the AI-driven digital divide and the impact startup ecosystem. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Hanyang University, teaching courses on the U.N. 2030 Agenda and its implementation strategies, and has contributed to nurturing global development cooperation talent and strengthening the capacity of future generations through diverse international exchange and education programs. His previous roles include managing the WFUNA APAC Secretariat, contributing to the urban innovation challenge Citypreneurs organizing committee, serving as Research Manager of the Global Strategy Committee of the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities, and Social Sciences, leading public relations team at the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat among China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and teaching cadets at the ROK Air Force Academy. Yong Jae published 3 books on East Asian tea cultures and holds an M.A. in Political Science from Seoul National University.