President Moon to Depart for G20 on 28th... Meeting with the Pope, State Visit to Hungary (Comprehensive)

7-Night 9-Day European Tour... President Moon's Keynote Speech at the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in will embark on a European tour on the 28th to attend the G20 Summit. President Moon is also scheduled to make an official visit to the Vatican and hold a meeting with Pope Francis.

Park Kyung-mi, spokesperson for the Blue House, stated on the 22nd, "President Moon will visit Rome, Italy; Glasgow, United Kingdom; and Budapest, Hungary from October 28 to November 5 for a 7-night, 9-day schedule to make an official visit to the Vatican, attend the G20 and COP26 summits, and make a state visit to Hungary."

On the 29th, President Moon will officially visit the Vatican and hold separate meetings with Pope Francis and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Park explained, "This visit to the Vatican is President Moon’s second, following October 2018, and is expected to be an opportunity to share wisdom with the global religious leader who has practiced universal humanity on issues such as promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, COVID-19, climate change, poverty, and hunger."

President Moon will attend the G20 Summit held in Rome, Italy on the 30th and 31st. This summit is the first in-person meeting since COVID-19 and will be conducted under three main themes: ‘People, Environment, and Prosperity.’

President Moon will participate in all three summit sessions: ‘International Economy and Health,’ ‘Climate Change and Environment,’ and ‘Sustainable Development.’ Spokesperson Park said, "He plans to discuss international cooperation measures for inclusive and sustainable recovery and reconstruction with other world leaders," adding, "Bilateral meetings with key leaders are also being arranged."

President Moon will then attend the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit on November 1 and 2.

Spokesperson Park said, "With over 130 heads of state expected to attend, this summit is anticipated to be a historic occasion to consolidate the international community’s political will to respond to the climate crisis," and added, "At COP26, President Moon will deliver a keynote speech and participate in sessions such as the ‘Action and Solidarity’ session, which is part of the host country’s program."

Meanwhile, President Moon will make a state visit to Hungary at the invitation of the Hungarian President. On November 2, he will visit a memorial space for the victims of a Hungarian ship accident to pay respects and express gratitude for the establishment of the memorial. On November 3, he will hold separate meetings with President J?nos ?der and Prime Minister Viktor Orb?n.

Spokesperson Park said, "He is scheduled to attend a business forum with the Visegr?d Group, which includes Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland," and explained, "On November 4, he will attend the 2nd Korea-Visegr?d Group (V4) Summit and hold bilateral meetings with the Visegr?d Group countries." This visit to Hungary is the first presidential visit in 20 years since President Kim Dae-jung in 2001.

The Visegr?d Group is the second-largest trading partner and the largest export market within the EU. Spokesperson Park said, "This visit is expected to serve as an opportunity to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in promising future industries such as electric vehicles and batteries."