Conference was opened and closed by the Mayor of Gangneung City, Mr Kiseob Shim.

Mr. Samuel Lee (Secretary General, Korean National Comission for UNESCO), Mr Jonghan Choi (Chairman, Gangneung City Council), Ms Dawnhee Yim (Dongguk University) and Mr Richard Engelhardt (Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO) had also opening speeches.