On February 8, 2019, at the invitation of UPF Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, current and former heads of state and government and leaders from around the world assembled in Seoul, Korea, to inaugurate the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP).
Moderated by Dr. Michael Jenkins, Chairman of UPF North America and Dr. Maria Fernanda Flores de Aleman, former First Lady (1997-2002) and congresswoman from Nicaragua, the event began with interfaith prayers and the Korean National Anthem sung by the Little Angels.
40 dignitaries sat on the stage around UPF Founder Dr. Moon, as keynote addresses were delivered by H.E. Evaristo Carvalho, President of São Tomé and Príncipe; Rt. Hon. Sir Iakoba Italeli, Governor General of Tuvalu; Hon. Newt Gingrich, US Speaker of the House of Representatives (1995-1999) of the United States and Hon. Dick Cheney, Vice President (2001-2009) of the United States.
In her founding speech, Dr. Moon said: “We have gathered to ensure that in this new millennium the hope for a prosperous future does not remain an ideal, but rather that the prospect for world peace can be realized…. I ask you to join me in building a peaceful world of one human family attending God, our Heavenly Parent.”
After the ISCP resolution was introduced by H.E. Anthony Carmona, President (2013-2018) of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Moon honored 10 representative dignitaries with a medal and launched the new organization, that will hold its first Global Assembly at World Summit 2020.
Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon (center) standing with the leaders who received the Distinguished Award Medal, (L to R) Hon. Dick Cheney, Vice President (2001–2009), USA; H.E. Mahamane Ousmane, President (1993–1996), Niger; H.H. Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese, Head of State (2007–2017), Samoa; H.E. Luis Federico Franco Gómez, President (2012–2013) Paraguay; H.E. Anthony Carmona, President (2013–2018), Trinidad and Tobago; H.E. Stanislav Shushkevich, Chairman (1991–1994) Supreme Council, Belarus; H.E. Alf red Moisiu, President (2002–2007), Albania; Rt. Hon. Sir Iakoba Italeli, Governor General, Tuvalu; H.E. Evaristo Carvalho, President, Säo Tomé and Principe; H.E. Jerry Rawlings, Head of State and President (1981-2001), Ghana