Global Forum on Sustainable Development held in Korea

April 16, 2012

The Global Forum on Sustainable Development held 10-11 April in Jeju, South Korea saw leading politicians and experts discuss about best practices and future strategies on sustainable development.

The forum was co-hosted by ICLEI Korea Office and the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province with generous endorsement from the Korea Presidential Committee on Green Growth; Global Green Growth Institute; Ministry of Public Administration and Security; Ministry of Environment; Jeju Free International City Development Corporation; and Jeju Free International City Broadcasting System.

Over 300 people, representing local governments, NGOs, academics, and the general public including commercial enterprises attended the forum.

In the opening address, ICLEI Korea Office Director Chin Dae-Shik stated that “now is the very opportune time for the humanity to return the planet to a recovery and sound state to secure the humanity’s happiness through mobilization of all the wit and wisdoms”.

Jeju Province Vice Governor Kim Boo-Il mentioned in his welcome address that "local governments should do the best to address impending issues from global warming in close cooperation with the national governments and international organizations”.

Other speakers included Mr. Chung Rae Kwon, Director of Environment and Sustainable Development Division, UNESCAP; Ms. Michie Kishigami, ICLEI Japan Office Director; Prof. Karl Kim, Executive Director of the United States National Disaster Preparedness Training Center and Professor of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Hawaii of University at Manoa; Mr. Jeong Eun-hae, Director of Global Environmental Division, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Shyh-Fang Liu, Deputy Mayor of Kaoshiung City; Mr. Hwang Chi Young, Director General of the Climate Change Bureau, Seoul Metropolitan Government; Dr. Alexander Fisher, Director of Management and Administration,Global Green Growth Institute; Dr. Jeon Dae-Wook, Korea Research Institute for Local Administration; and Mr. Jeong Dai-Yeon, Director of the Jeju Sustainable Environment Education Center.

Professor Kim stressed that “cities should keep sustaining sustainability through resilient city design”. This was demonstrated by examples from Kaohsiung's solar power panel rooftops, Seoul's reinvigoration of energy policy, and Jeju's planned transformation into a world environmental capital in the future.

After the forum, participants took part in an on-site workshop to learn
more about the Jeju’s environmental facilities including the nation’s supporting smart-grid area, international English town and sewerage systems.

Visit ICLEI Korea website for more information.