G-DRAGON Appointed as UNESCO World Heritage Ambassador

Singer G-DRAGON was appointed as the official ambassador for the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. He attended the opening ceremony held at BEXCO in Busan on July 19 and received his official appointment letter from the National Heritage Administration. This World Heritage Committee meeting, held for the first time in South Korea since the country joined the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, serves as an international forum to discuss the preservation and utilization of world heritage, as well as new listings and related policies.

The National Heritage Administration explained that it selected G-DRAGON because of the peace message he has consistently conveyed through music and art, as well as the philosophy of his nonprofit organization, JUSPEACE, which aligns perfectly with UNESCO’s mission of promoting peace.

At the opening ceremony, G-DRAGON delivered a keynote speech focused on world heritage preservation and peace, emphasizing the value of cultural heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations. Referring to Busan as the venue, he said, “It is a remarkable city that transformed the scars of war into peace and hope, and it is home to the world’s only United Nations Memorial Park. Here, where those who dedicated themselves to peace across borders rest, we aim to make new commitments to jointly protect world heritage.”

He further stressed, “Protecting heritage is not merely about preserving the past; it is about creating peace for the future. Art has the powerful ability to move people’s hearts, and when these movements come together, they can transform the world. As an artist, I will contribute my efforts to safeguarding world heritage that is at risk due to war and climate crises. I hope that our small efforts starting in Busan will grow into a vast platform for peace that connects the entire world.”

G-DRAGON’s involvement goes beyond a one-time ambassadorship role and expands into a substantive global campaign. His JUSPEACE organization has launched the “HERITAGE IN PEACE” campaign, a world heritage fund initiative designed to demonstrate its influence on UNESCO and the international community. Funds collected through this campaign will be delivered directly to the UNESCO World Heritage Fund in the name of the people of South Korea through JUSPEACE.

UNESCO Director-General Khaled Al-Anani also expressed his gratitude in his opening remarks, saying, “Heritage is not a product of the past; it is a living force that continuously brings dynamism to our cultures. In this sense, I extend my deep thanks to G-DRAGON and his team for initiating this world heritage fund fundraising effort.”