Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 915

NUNTII

I

Ad Praesidem Reipublicae Coreae occasione congressus viginti primorum terrarum

orbis (G 20).

To His Excellency

Mr. Lee Myung-bak

President of the Republic of Korea

Mr. President,

The meeting about to take place in Seoul of Heads of States and

Government of the world's twenty-two leading economies together with

the Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization, the Presidency

of the European Union and some regional Organizations, as well as the

leaders of various specialized Agencies, is not only of global importance

but also clearly expresses the significance and responsibility which Asia has

acquired on the international scene at the beginning of the 21st century. The

Korean Presidency of the Summit is a recognition of the significant level of

economic development attained by your country, which is the first among

those not belonging to the G8 to host the G20 and guide its decision in the

world alter the crisis. The Summit seeks solutions to quite complex questions,

on which the future of upcoming generations depends and which therefore

require the cooperation of the entire international community, based

on the acknowledgement - which is shared and agreed by all peoples -

of the primary and central value of human dignity, the final objective of

the choices themselves.

The Catholic Church, in accordance with her specific nature, regards

herself as involved and shares the concerns of the leaders who will take

part in the Seoul Summit. I therefore encourage you to tackle the

numerous serious problems facing you - and which, in a sense, face every

human person today - bearing in mind the deeper reasons for the economic

and financial crisis and giving due consideration to the consequences of the

measures adopted to overcome the crisis itself, and to seek lasting,

sustainable and just solutions. In doing so, it is my hope that there will be