HD Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO Chung Ki-sun delivers a keynote speech during CES 2024 in Las Vegas in this January file photo. Courtesy of HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO Chung Ki-sun was appointed as one of the 16 co-chairs at a World Economic Forum (WEF) special meeting, held between Sunday and Monday in Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh, the company said Sunday.

He is the only Korean among the global leaders co-chairing the event to discuss global collaboration for sustainable growth.

Other co-chairs include International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, ExxonMobil Chairman Darren Woods, SEB Chairman Marcus Wallenberg, Deloitte Global Chair Anna Marks, A.P. Moller-Maersk Chair Robert Maersk Uggla and Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser.

In January, Chung attended the annual WEF meeting in Davos, Switzerland, following his previous participation a year earlier, to discuss solutions to global problems with the world's most renowned entrepreneurs, economists, politicians and journalists.

HD Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO Chung Ki-sun, left, talks with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in this January file photo. Courtesy of Saudi Press Agency

Except for regular events held in Switzerland in winter and in China in summer, the recent special meeting is the largest event hosted by the WEF's organizer.

Around 900 participants, including key stakeholders from governments and international organizations, and business leaders from the WEF's partner companies, will discuss ways to boost global cooperation, inclusive growth and equality in the use of energy.

"The latest meeting is intended to pursue inclusive growth and solve disparity in energy access," Chung said. "Since HD Hyundai also aims for a sustainable growth of humanity, we will make efforts to create a better future by strengthening global collaboration."

HD Hyundai said that Chung will seek cooperation with global leaders during the event and discover strategies for sustainable growth amid the rapid energy transition.

He plans to talk with the A.P. Moller-Maersk chair and the Saudi Aramco CEO about ways to strengthen cooperation in the construction of eco-friendly ships, as well as hydrogen-related businesses.

The Korean firm has also maintained close relations with the special meeting's host country, Saudi Arabia, through joint shipyard construction, the creation of a hydrogen ecosystem and the supply of electric power devices and construction equipment for NEOM.