President Laurel Miller(middle of the front row) with FOTAF Board Members and Former FOTAF Chairmen.

July 27, 2023 - The new President & CEO of The Asia Foundation, Laurel E. Miller, visited Korea from July 11 to 14, 2023. 

She held a series of meetings with the board members of Friends of The Asia Foundation Korea (FOTAF) and former chairmen of FOTAF to provide updates on the Foundation’s program areas and operations. She also sought their views on the future direction and role of the Foundation in Korea and Asia.

During her visit, President Miller made courtesy calls to key partner organizations of the Foundation, aiming to strengthen partnerships and enhance future collaboration. She met with Chairman Ban Ki-moon of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, who received the 2018 Chang-Lin Tien Award from The Asia Foundation and maintained a long-standing relationship with the Foundation. Their discussions encompassed the expansion of The Asia Foundation's role in Asia and projects related to climate change. President Miller also met with Joy Sakurai, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Korea, and discussed women's empowerment projects and opportunities for future cooperation.

President Laurel Miller and H.E. Chairman Ban Ki-moon

In addition, President Miller, with a profound interest in environmental issues, visited Green Climate Fund (GCF) located in Songdo to meet with Dr. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Director of External Affairs. During this meeting, they exchanged strategies for the two organizations responding to climate change and discussed future cooperation.

Dr. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Director of External Affairs of GCF, and President Laurel Miller

On the 13^th, President Miller signed an MOU with the Korea Foundation for Women In Science, Engineering, and Technology (WISET) to promote women’s empowerment in STEM fields across Asia. (Please click here for more information about the MOU signing ceremony).

President Laurel Miller and President Moon Aree of WISET

Lastly, President Miller met with the staff of the Korea office for the first time since her inauguration as the President and engaged with them by having briefings on the key activities of the Korea office.