47th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting | Australia-Korea Business Council

09-01-2026 9:00 AM - 09-02-2026 5:00 PM

https://akbc.glueup.com/event/47th-akbc-kabc-joint-meeting-164501/

We are delighted to share highlights from the 47th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting, held on 1-2 September 2026 in Adelaide. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to two days of strategic discussion, practical insights and valuable networking focused on the future of the Australia-Korea relationship.

Thank you also to our host state, Government of South Australia, our event partners, Santos GLNG, InterContinental Energy, M Resources, Senex Energy, A&O Shearman, CarbonNet Project - Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, Net Zero Institute - University of Sydney, Egress Space, Harmony Agriculture and Food Company, Low Emission Technology Australia, PLS and our supporting event partners, AustCham Korea and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).

Held under the theme “Trusted Partners in a Changing World”, the Joint Meeting highlighted the strength of the Australia-Korea relationship and opportunities to deepen collaboration across energy security, steel and advanced manufacturing, battery materials and critical minerals, decarbonisation, defence, space, innovation, investment, research and development, commercialisation and supply chain resilience.

Throughout the Joint Meeting program, we were honoured by the participation of distinguished leaders, including:

Hon. Martin Ferguson AM, Chair, Australia-Korea Business Council;
Dr. Chang, In Hwa, Chair, Korea-Australia Business Council and Chair and CEO, POSCO Holdings;
Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia;
Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism;
Jung-sung Park, Minister for Trade in Korea, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) through a video message;
The Hon. Chris Picton MP, Minister for State Development, Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs;
Senator the Hon. Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Assistant Minister for Resources, and Assistant Minister for Regional Development;
Jimin Kim, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Korea in Australia;
Steve Georganas MP, Federal Member for Adelaide;
Chang-beom Kim, Vice Chairman and CEO, Federation of Korean Industries (FKI);
Yong Jun Choi, Consul-General of the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Sydney;
Young Mi Youn, Chairperson, Korea Importers Association;
Kathleen Conlon, Chairman and Non-executive Director, PLS;
Weonjun Yang, Senior Executive Vice President / Head of Communications Division, POSCO Holdings;
Matt Latimore, Founder and President, M Resources;
TaeYoung Park, Senior Vice President of Hyosung Heavy Industries;
Kiheon Kim, Executive Director of the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE)
Dr. Scott Watkins, Chair, Australia-Korea Foundation and CSO, KISCO; and
Professor Robert Breunig, Professor of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University.

Their participation reflected the significance of the Australia-Korea relationship across government and business, and the complementary strengths that continue to support closer bilateral collaboration.

The event concluded with closing remarks and the signing of the Joint Meeting Statement by Hon. Martin Ferguson AM and Dr. Chang In Hwa, marking the conclusion of the two-day program.

Joint Meeting Agenda

The 47th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting spanned two days in Adelaide. Day one included three sideline roundtables focused on space, artificial intelligence and critical minerals. The official program for Australian delegates began with the Australian Delegation Event, which provided a bilateral briefing, an industry panel on navigating the Australia-Korea business landscape, and a concise Korean business and cultural refresher. A corresponding Korean Delegation Event was held concurrently.

See photos from day 1

See photos from day 2

Delegates then visited Fleet Space Technologies for a first-hand look at innovative technologies and operations across the space and exploration sectors. The delegations came together at Adelaide Oval in the evening for the Welcome Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner presented by our Platinum Member, M Resources, featuring curated musical entertainment celebrating Australian and Korean culture, a three-course dining experience showcasing Black Opal Wagyu supplied by our Gold Member, Harmony Agriculture & Food Co., with a concluding light show. A special Penfolds wine experience was also held for a small group of Australian and Korean guests, led by Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker, showcasing South Australia’s renowned wine heritage.

Day two began with the AKBC Run Club along the River Torrens, followed by the Opening Ceremony at Adelaide Oval. The Opening Panel, “Trusted Partners in a Changing World”, set the tone for the day’s discussions. More than 250 Australian and Korean business leaders, government representatives, research institutions and industry stakeholders participated in the Joint Meeting program.

The conference featured three targeted sessions:

Future Opportunities in Steel, Battery Materials and Critical Minerals;
Innovation, R&D and Commercialisation; and
Energy Transition, Decarbonisation and Emerging Technologies.

Delegates also took part in a seated three-course Joint Meeting Luncheon and networking opportunities throughout the day, before the program concluded with closing remarks, the signing of the Joint Meeting Statement and the Closing Cocktail Reception.

See the event website for the full agenda

Media featuring the 47th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting

Please see below for media coverage of the Joint Meeting.

We look forward to welcoming delegates to the 48th KABC-AKBC Joint Meeting in Korea in 2027.

Kind regards,

The Australia-Korea Business Council Team