Hyundai Motor and Kia will participate in the Misk Global Forum (MGF) this November 18th-19th, strengthening their engagement in the Middle East

Areas of exploration include participation in the Misk Traineeship Program

Explore potential collaboration with Misk City in Smart City application 

SEOUL/RIYADH – Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor) and Kia Corporation (Kia) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Misk Foundation to collaborate on developing youth leadership initiatives in Saudi Arabia, fostering a forward-thinking, innovative environment for the country's future leaders.

The MoU was signed in Riyadh on September 30, in a ceremony attended by Jae-yong Lee, Vice President and Head of the Smart City Innovation Group at Hyundai Motor and Kia and Omar Al-Najjar, Deputy CEO of Misk Foundation. This agreement marks a significant step in nurturing the next generation of leaders through programs and platforms offered by Misk Foundation.

Misk Foundation, founded by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating Saudi Arabia's youth leadership. This collaboration represents Hyundai Motor and Kia’s first partnership with a Saudi non-profit organization, showcasing a shared commitment to youth development and capacity building.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Misk Foundation, a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship for Saudi future leaders,” said Jae-yong Lee. “We aim to create synergies to empower the next generation of leaders. This collaborative effort will not only contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia's knowledge-based economy, but also pave the way for a more sustainable and connected future.” 

As part of the partnership, Hyundai Motor and Kia, in collaboration with Misk Foundation, will develop the Misk Traineeship Program. This program is designed to create international learning opportunities for Saudi youth, offering them exposure to Hyundai Motor and Kia’s innovative technologies and global expertise. This initiative aligns with the partners’ shared vision of empowering the next generation and contributing to the Kingdom’s knowledge-based economy.

Hyundai Motor and Kia will also participate in the upcoming Misk Global Forum (MGF), Saudi Arabia’s largest youth-focused platform. Through MGF, the two companies will engage with young leaders and startups, sharing their insights into the future of mobility and sustainable solutions, reinforcing their commitment to the region.

While the focus remains on youth development, Hyundai Motor and Kia will also explore potential areas of collaboration in smart city applications with Misk City. This includes the opportunity to study and demonstrate new technologies within Misk City and potentially utilize the city’s various event venues for future initiatives.

This MoU serves as a foundation for further dialogue between Misk Foundation, Hyundai Motor, and Kia, reflecting a shared interest in fostering youth leadership and innovation in Saudi Arabia.

About Mohammed Bin Salman “Misk Foundation”:
Established by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz in 2011, Misk Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to cultivate and encourage learning and leadership in the youth for a better future in Saudi Arabia.

To this end, Misk gives a hand to the youth across the country by providing various means to foster, empower, and establish a healthy environment for their creative talents to grow and see the light.

The Foundation invests in empowering the youth of Saudi Arabia in two main tracks; education and entrepreneurship, and culture and the creative arts, with science and technology as a supporting field. This is intended to be accomplished by designing programs and forging partnerships with local and global organizations to reach the ultimate objective: building a society based on knowledge.

Misk pursues these goals by both designing programs and partnering with local and global organizations in diverse fields. Through an array of incubators, the Foundation invests in the intellectual capital and the capabilities of the youth of Saudi Arabia.

Misk Foundation believes that its endeavors will support and enhance the efforts to establish a knowledge-based society, which will in turn bring fulfillment and add value to Saudi Arabia.

About Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City “Misk City”:
Misk City is the first nonprofit city of its kind, founded to host the ecosystem of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation "Misk”. It is a vibrant and innovative ecosystem within a human-centric city focused on youth. Here, young and creative minds live, learn, share, and progress towards a sustainable tomorrow. Misk City is a purpose-built destination that aims to contribute to the growth, development, and prosperity of Saudi youth, aligning with the goals of Misk.

To learn more about Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City "Misk City", please visit: 
Twitter: @miskcity_ksa | Instagram: @miskcity_ksa | LinkedIn: Misk City | Website: https://miskcity.sa/en/home

About Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication, and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at: http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Media Center (kianewscenter.com), Genesis Newsroom

Contact:
Daehyun Shin
Global PR Strategy & Planning / Hyundai Motor Group
daehyun.shin@kia.com