Dr Changyong Rhee, South Korea's Secretary-General of the Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit, visited the ASEAN Secretariat on Wednesday as part of the Republic of Korea's (ROK) efforts to seek views and inputs from the region towards the preparation of the agenda of the Summit scheduled to be held in Seoul on November 11-12, a statement issued by the ASEAN Secretariat said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was the first destination for ROK's outreach activity as they prepare for the G20 Summit.

Even though Canada is the chair of the first G20 Summit for 2010, which is scheduled to be held in Toronto on June 26-27, the ROK has already initiated the process of consultations to incorporate the views of ASEAN when they host the second Summit later in the year.

"We are shaping the agenda as early as possible to include the views of ASEAN," Dr Rhee said when meeting the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) to ASEAN at the ASEAN Secretariat.

Stressing the ROK's unique experience in development and crisis management, Dr Rhee said that his country was seeking to bring the perspectives of emerging markets to the G20 Summit.

The focus would be on new agenda including global financial safety nets and development issues. Dr Rhee wanted to know the kind of developments topics ASEAN wants to see.

The ROK, he added, was well suited to bridge the gap between the developed and developing countries as it has first-hand experience of development in living memory. The ROK is also the first non G8 country to host the G20 Summit.

Dr Rhee also requested ASEAN's support for ROK's efforts to solidify the G20 as the premier forum not only for crisis management but also for beyond-crisis economic cooperation.

The Summit would also be looking at issues requiring follow-ups from the last G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, such as recovery and exit strategies, a framework for sustainable and balanced growth, and the reform of international financial institutions.

Other issues including food and energy security, trade, and climate financing are also expected to be discussed.

During the meeting, members of the CPR expressed their support for ROK's consultative approach to ensure that the G20 hears regional views and peculiarities.

Just ahead of the Summit, the ROK would also be organizing a Business Summit on November 10-11, which would seek to establish networks among CEOs and provide an opportunity for dialogue between global CEOs and G20 Leaders.

Dr Rhee stressed the involvement of the private and business sector in sustaining the recovery from the global financial crisis and to ensure future growth.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2010)