"Overcoming the Climate Crisis, Cities Join Hands"... Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, Leads International Consensus

Speech at the Session Hosted by the Local Governments Council for Climate Crisis Response and Energy Transition

Focus on Explaining the Major Transformation of Pohang, an Industrialized City, into a Green Environmental City

Pohang City is participating in the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, promoting Pohang's proactive efforts to address the climate crisis and garnering international community support.

On the 13th, Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, attended a session hosted by the Local Governments' Council for Energy Transition in Response to the Climate Crisis at the Korean Pavilion of the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) and delivered a speech on intercity cooperation to overcome the climate crisis. Photo by Pohang City

On the 13th (local time), Mayor Lee Kang-deok attended a session hosted by the Local Governments for Energy Transition in Response to the Climate Crisis held at the Korean Pavilion, delivering a speech titled "A Great Transformation from an Industrial City to an Environmental City: Pohang's Journey," focusing on inter-city cooperation to overcome the climate crisis.

Mayor Lee emphasized that since the climate crisis is a serious challenge directly linked to human survival, solidarity and cooperation among cities are more important than ever. He drew attention by explaining the process through which Pohang, once a symbol of industrialization, is undergoing a major transformation into a green environmental city.

He also revealed that Pohang City is preparing an international forum with global participation centered on the core agenda of "carbon-neutral green growth," stressing that all cities must collectively consider the implementation of climate agreements, realization of carbon neutrality, and sustainable growth harmonizing industry and environment.

The session attended by Mayor Lee Kang-deok included participants such as Park Seung-won, Mayor of Gwangmyeong City, Gyeonggi Province; Professor Nikola Tolin from Denmark University; Emani Kuma, Deputy Secretary-General of ICLEI; Vincent Chauvet, Mayor of Autun, France; and Yoo Sung-hoon, Head of Geumcheon District Office.

Mayor Lee stated, "To achieve carbon neutrality, Pohang City has actively fostered new growth industries, diversified its industrial structure, transitioned to future energy industries, and made continuous efforts to leap forward as a green ecological city," adding, "I hope these efforts become a driving force that leads to great empathy and cooperation in the international community."

On the same day, Mayor Lee held successive bilateral meetings with high-ranking officials including Emani Kuma, Deputy Secretary-General of ICLEI; Jeong Ki-yong, Climate Change Ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Tsuyong Zhou, Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), introducing Pohang's climate change response policies, sharing achievements, and discussing plans for hosting and cooperating on international conferences.

In particular, during the meeting with Emani Kuma, Deputy Secretary-General of ICLEI, Mayor Lee strongly expressed his intention to host the ICLEI World Congress in Pohang in 2027. ICLEI is an international network of local governments with over 2,600 members from 125 countries.

Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok is having a meeting with Emani Kuma, Deputy Secretary-General of ICLEI, on the 13th and taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Pohang City

Additionally, with Climate Change Ambassador Jeong Ki-yong, they explored strategic approaches to hosting large-scale inter-ministerial international conferences, and in the meeting with UNIDO Deputy Director-General Tsuyong Zhou, they proposed hosting UNIDO regional and special meetings linked to Pohang's industry.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, "Through an active cooperative network with international organizations, we will showcase Pohang's capabilities in attracting international conferences to the world and leap forward as a global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) hub city."

Since attending the United Nations Climate Change Global Innovation Hub Systemic Innovation Workshop (UGIH S.I.W.) in September, the first among Korean local governments, Pohang City has been expanding its UN international exchanges by engaging with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on the 28th of last month and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the 1st of this month, broadening the foundation of Pohang as an international city.