A United Nations–affiliated organization, the World Distribution Federation (WDF), has paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Seoul, South Korea, as part of efforts to establish a partnership focused on national development and youth empowerment through artificial intelligence (AI) and metaverse technologies.

The visit aimed at exploring collaboration with Sierra Leone in capacity building, education, and technological innovation, particularly targeting young people. The World Distribution Federation is a UN special consultative organization based in South Korea, working to promote a peaceful global economic system, foster international cooperation, and advance industrial technologies in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The organization also focuses on developing a global distribution system through education and promoting concepts such as a unified global currency zone.

Speaking during the meeting, Chairman of the World Distribution Federation in Korea, Jae Hak Lee, said the organization intends to engage Sierra Leone primarily through its education sector, including facilitating opportunities for Sierra Leonean students to study at Korean universities. He emphasized that the Federation’s approach is rooted in a peace economy rather than a political economy, adding that South Korea remains welcoming to foreign investors committed to development initiatives.

Chairman Lee, who was accompanied by Doo-Soo An, Byung-Hyun Cho, and Kun-Chi Lee, also outlined plans to introduce the “Meta City” concept to Sierra Leone Under the proposal, “Meta City Freetown” would mirror models such as Meta Seoul, creating a highly connected urban network designed to support digital innovation and economic growth.

Welcoming the delegation, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to South Korea, Paul Sobba Massaquoi, described the visit as timely, noting that the Embassy is expecting a delegation from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Education, which would further strengthen cooperation discussions. He explained that the proposed project would be introduced to three key ministries—Education, youth, and Technology—for consideration.

Ambassador Massaquoi recommended quarterly engagement meetings to update the Embassy on progress and allow stakeholders to fully understand the concept ahead of the anticipated ministerial delegation. He further advised that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed as a binding agreement once the partnership framework is fully developed.

As part of the visit, the World Distribution Federation donated 100 face masks to the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Seoul. The donation is intended for onward presentation to the First Lady of Sierra Leone for distribution to 34 hospitals in Freetown.

 

Also present at the meeting on the Sierra Leone Embassy side were Agnes Mbayo, Counselor and Head of Chancery; Musu Langley, Second Secretary; and Michaella Bonnie Information Attaché.