WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund(IMF) announced Thursday that it and the South Korean government will host a high-level international conference on Asia in Seoul on July 12-13.

    The conference will bring together leading figures from around the world to examine Asia's economic dynamism and evolving role in international policy-making.

    The conference is expected to bring together more than 300 high-level participants, including prominent business leaders, financial market experts, academics, civil society representatives and journalists, as well as finance ministers, central bank governors and other senior policymakers, according to the IMF.

    "Asia is at an important crossroads," said the IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn at a news conference. "In a post-crisis world, Asia is well positioned to build on its strong macroeconomic track record and engage prominently in the debate on policy challenges facing the global economy."

    Built on the theme of "transformation," the conference will present "a significant opportunity for all key players to share their insights on the challenges and opportunities facing Asia and the global economy in the next decade," said the IMF chief.

    "And it will also underscore the IMF's renewed commitment to serving as a global partner for the region," he added.