Achievements Marking the Start of Hydrogen and Secondary Battery Specialized Complex and Energy Security Realization
Mayor Lee, "Mobilizing Pohang's Full Capabilities, All In for Hosting International Events in Pohang"
Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang recently confirmed once again the potential of Pohang to grow as a global MICE industry hub during his visit to Western Europe, emphasizing that it was an opportunity to expand networks to secure a global competitive edge in new growth industries.
On the 6th, a expanded executive meeting presided over by Mayor Lee Kang-deok was held at City Hall to share the outcomes of the Western Europe business trip and the significance of Pohang being designated as a hydrogen specialized complex.
On the 6th, Pohang City held an expanded executive meeting chaired by Mayor Lee Kang-deok in the city hall’s large conference room, sharing the outcomes of the eight-day Western Europe business trip from the 27th of last month to the 3rd of this month, as well as the significance of Pohang’s designation as a hydrogen specialized complex.
First, during this overseas visit, the Pohang delegation participated in the World Korean Business Convention held in Austria to promote excellent companies leading Pohang’s innovative industrial ecosystem. They also visited Basel, Switzerland, home to outstanding research institutions in the life sciences field, to explore development directions for the bioindustry, a core future growth sector for Pohang.
In particular, Mayor Lee explained that he visited major international organizations in Vienna, Austria, and Geneva, Switzerland, laying the foundation for expanding global networks and attracting international conferences through strategic cooperation relationships.
The mayor visited the headquarters of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Geneva office, proposing hosting international conferences organized by these agencies in Pohang. He also held talks with the World Economic Forum (WEF) organizing committee, which hosts the Davos Forum, actively introducing Pohang’s capabilities in attracting international conferences.
Mayor Lee said, “This Western Europe visit was a valuable opportunity to establish the foundation for Pohang to advance as an international MICE city,” adding, “Let us pool our wisdom to attract various international events to Pohang by fully mobilizing Pohang’s capabilities.”
At the same meeting, a thematic report was given explaining the promotion plan for the hydrogen specialized complex designated on the 1st of this month.
The city plans to build short-term infrastructure by 2028 in connection with the hydrogen fuel cell cluster construction project, and by 2035, it aims to consolidate the capabilities necessary for export industrialization, attracting 70 hydrogen companies and intensively fostering 20 small and medium-sized enterprises linked to materials, parts, and equipment. Additionally, the city plans to achieve 100% localization of fuel cell parts and materials.
Mayor Lee Kang-deok emphasized, “Achieving the triple crown of special zones with the hydrogen specialized complex following secondary batteries and bioindustries is the strength of Pohang and Gyeongbuk,” adding, “This will mark the beginning of the full-scale realization of energy patriotism, and we will focus our capabilities so that Pohang can lead not only as the energy capital of South Korea but also the global energy market.”
After concluding the expanded executive meeting, Mayor Lee Kang-deok visited the city hall briefing room to share with the media the designation of the hydrogen specialized complex and the outcomes of the Western Europe trip. He also announced plans for a tour of Baku, Azerbaijan, and Istanbul, T?rkiye, scheduled from the 11th to the 17th.
The mayor will attend the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Azerbaijan, delivering a presentation on Pohang’s excellent policy cases such as regional industrial structure diversification and expansion of renewable energy distribution at the high-level session for city representatives of the United Nations Global Innovation Hub (UGIH). He plans to expand global networks with international organizations and experts.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
