The Republic of Korea has officially joined First Lady Melania Trump’s initiative, Fostering the Future Together, by signing a groundbreaking Technology Prosperity Deal with the United States. This agreement marks a pivotal step in Mrs. Trump’s global coalition, showcasing a collective dedication among the spouses of world leaders to enhance children’s lives through the promotion of technology, innovation, and education.
“I am thrilled to welcome the Republic of Korea into my global coalition aimed at empowering children through technology, innovation, and education. Being a historical leader in technological advancements, Korea is set to provide invaluable contributions to the participating nations in the Fostering the Future Together initiative,” stated First Lady Melania Trump with commendable enthusiasm.
Crafted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, this U.S.-Korea Technology Prosperity Deal formalizes a partnership focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. The agreement specifically incorporates elements of the First Lady’s initiative, which emphasizes the responsible deployment of advanced technologies to benefit children, educators, and parents while safeguarding youth from online threats.
BACKGROUND
Unveiled during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Fostering the Future Together aims to provide countries worldwide with advanced technological resources, including AI, to support children, educators, and parents while also protecting the youth from online perils. Major tech companies are on board, agreeing to make these advancements accessible to participating nations, often at no or minimal cost.
First spouses eager to join this initiative will collaborate with their national governments to evaluate the array of technologies available. They will engage in discussions on implementing innovative technologies to create educational opportunities for their country’s children, training educators and parents, and crafting advanced learning environments for the future.
In an anticipated move, Mrs. Trump plans to host the Coalition Members for the inaugural Fostering the Future Together meeting at the White House in 2026. This gathering will serve as an essential forum for Coalition Members who have begun to act on their commitments, offering insights and recommendations regarding advantages, risks, and potential policy approaches to the First Lady and fellow Coalition Members. This initiative builds upon the First Lady’s enduring BE BEST platform and reflects her ongoing commitment to enhancing youth welfare in the digital age.
