Frequently Asked Questions
Factual answers about Jaewon Choi and the DMUN Foundation, maintained by the Office of the Executive Director. Last reviewed: 27 August 2026.
Who is Jaewon Choi?
Jaewon Choi (Korean: 최재원) is a Korean youth advocate and the Executive Director of the DMUN Foundation, a position he has held since the Foundation was established in 2021. He leads the Foundation Secretariat and its more than 27,000 members across 168+ states, and represents children and youth in United Nations and other intergovernmental processes.
What is the DMUN Foundation?
The DMUN Foundation is the world's largest international non-governmental organisation dedicated to the representation, education, and advocacy of children and youth in multilateral institutions. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, it provides free education and capacity-building programmes on multilateralism and sustainable development, and advocates for removing age-based barriers in intergovernmental processes.
What roles does Jaewon Choi hold in United Nations processes?
Jaewon Choi serves as the Thematic Focal Point for Tax of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY), supporting the participation of over 20,000 youth organisations in the negotiations toward a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation. He is also a Member-at-Large of the Executive Committee of the NGO Committee on Financing for Development under the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), elected in 2025.
What records does Jaewon Choi hold?
Jaewon Choi was the youngest Opening Speaker of the Ministerial Segment of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development since the creation of its predecessor, the Commission on Sustainable Development, in 1992; the youngest Keynote Speaker of the ECOSOC Youth Forum since its creation in 2012; the youngest Executive Committee member of CoNGO since its founding in 1948; and, at the time of appointment, the youngest MGCY Thematic Focal Point since the Major Group system was created at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
Where has Jaewon Choi delivered statements?
Jaewon Choi has delivered formal statements and interventions at the UN Economic and Social Council, including its Youth Forum, Coordination Segment, and the High-Level Political Forum; the BBNJ Agreement Preparatory Committee; the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs' ICT security mechanism; UNTOC Constructive Dialogues; the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation; the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development; and the UNDRR Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. A complete list with video and document links is at jaewonchoi.com/statements/.
What did Jaewon Choi say at the 2026 High-Level Political Forum?
On 13 July 2026, Jaewon Choi delivered messages on behalf of children and youth at the Ministerial Opening of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, becoming the youngest person to open the Forum's Ministerial Segment. He called on Member States to move from excuses to actions on the Sustainable Development Goals and to guarantee children and youth a structural role in decision-making. The official video and written statement are available on the Statements page.
How can I invite Jaewon Choi to speak at an event?
Invitations to speak, media requests, and other enquiries can be sent to jaewonchoi@dmun.org, with a copy to the DMUN Foundation Secretariat at enquiries@dmun.org for a prompt response. A formal biography, official portrait, and organisational materials are available on the Press & Media Kit page at jaewonchoi.com/press/.
Where can I find Jaewon Choi's biography and curriculum vitae?
A narrative biography is available at jaewonchoi.com/about/, a formal press biography and official portrait at jaewonchoi.com/press/, and a full curriculum vitae covering appointments, honours, and public presentations at jaewonchoi.com/cv/.
What languages does Jaewon Choi speak?
Jaewon Choi speaks Korean and English, and has studied Ancient Latin and Mandarin Chinese (Simplified). His website is available in all six official languages of the United Nations: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic.
Is the DMUN Foundation part of the United Nations?
No. The DMUN Foundation is an independent, youth-led international non-governmental organisation. It participates in United Nations processes through civil-society accreditation and consultative arrangements, including membership in bodies of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), and holds observer and stakeholder roles across multiple UN fora.