NEAR is
an international organization founded by 29 regional governments from four Northeast Asian
countries, including People’s Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russian
Federation in September 1996 in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Republic of Korea. NEAR is
committed to contributing to the co-development of the region and world peace by enhancing
mutual exchange and cooperation based on the spirit of reciprocity and equity.
Since adopting the Charter based on the ideology of co-prosperity of Northeast Asia, NEAR
has been practicing extensive exchange and cooperation projects in various fields ranging from
economy and trade to educational and cultural exchanges, environment, disaster prevention to
maritime affairs and fisheries, tourism, cross-border cooperation to science and technology.
With the accession of new members at the 7th General Assembly held in September 2008 in
Shandong Province, China, NEAR has grown into a local diplomacy and cooperation
organization representing Northeast Asia with 69 member regional governments from six
countries.