Message from Chairman Han Sung-Joo
Guided by a mission to improve lives, expand opportunities, and help societies flourish across a dynamic and developing Asia, The Asia Foundation in 2017 marked its 63rd anniversary with a year-long global conversation on critical issues facing the region today. The Korea Office, led by Country Representative Dylan Davis, had an impactful year as the Office partnered with several Korean private and public organizations for discussions, development creation, fellowships, and several other events.
Continuing with an eighth successful year of collaborations, The Asia Foundation partnered with the Korea Development Institute (KDI) on the Asian Approaches to Development Cooperation (AACD) series, with meetings held in Manila, Ulaanbaatar, and Seoul. The first two dialogues covered planned urbanization and women and girls' empowerment in Asian development cooperation, while the third meeting in Seoul focused on the upcoming publication, Shifting to Planned Urbanization: The Role of Asian Development Cooperation.
2017 marked the 10th year that TAF and the KDI School of Public Policy and Management have partnered together on the “Capacity Building for International Development and Cooperation in Asia” program. Last year, study visits and fellowships expanded to Laos and Thailand. Topics covered included critical issues such as international development cooperation for human resource development and South-South and triangular cooperation.
TAF continued to strengthen its partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), including a highly successful Women's Business Center and Incubator project in Ulaanbaatar. This business center offers much needed training programs, business consultancy services, and networking opportunities for the women of Ulaanbaatar. Additional funding from KOICA was also awarded to the Foundation's office in India aimed at making cities safer for women in India.
The Friends of The Asia Foundation is proud to be a constant supporter of The Asia Foundation's targeted and active engagement in the Asian region. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank The Asia Foundation's donors, partners, supporters and friends for continuously supporting TAF's mission to encourage Asia's continued development as a peaceful, just, and thriving region. It is only through your commitment that we can continue to positively impact countless people across Asia.
Chairman 
