Prime Minister Han Discusses Climate Change Response with Caribbean and Pacific Island Leaders

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended the international conference on climate change response, the 'Leaders Summit,' held at BEXCO in Busan on the 27th, where he discussed international cooperation measures for addressing climate change in the marine sector.

The event, which opened on the 25th, was held as part of the world's first climate-related technology and industry expo, the '2023 Climate Industry International Expo' (WCE), taking place at BEXCO until that day.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The event was attended by high-level officials from Caribbean and Pacific island nations directly affected by rising sea levels, including Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu; John Antonio Brice?o, Prime Minister of Belize; Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji; Kitlang Kabua, Foreign Minister of the Marshall Islands; and Miles Laroda, Secretary of State of the Bahamas.

Heads of international organizations such as the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), as well as representatives from corporations and civil society organizations, were also present.

In his congratulatory speech, Prime Minister Han emphasized the seriousness of climate change issues such as abnormal temperatures, typhoons, flooding of low-lying areas, and damage to marine biodiversity, stressing the need for active interest and response from the international community.

He highlighted that "the marine environment holds great importance in responding to climate change." According to the Prime Minister's Office, he explained the Korean government's efforts toward the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, including the international shipping decarbonization strategy and natural carbon absorption through tidal flat restoration. He also announced that climate change will be a major theme at the 2030 World Expo, which Korea is seeking to host in Busan.