International Environmental NGO Green Cross Appoints Ahn Jungup as New Korea Branch Representative

Full-scale Launch of Environmental Education and Eco-friendly Certification Initiatives

Green Cross International, an international environmental NGO (Honorary President Lech Walesa), announced on the 23rd that it has appointed Ahn Jungup, Chairman of the Jeju Village Culture Promotion Institute, as the new representative of its Korea branch.

Anjungup New Representative of Green Cross International Korea Branch, an International Environmental NGO

Green Cross International was founded after former Russian President Gorbachev proposed the creation of an international environmental organization to serve as a "Red Cross for the environment" at the 1992 World Environment Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It holds the "General Consultative Status," the highest status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and is an international NGO. It also serves as an international environmental advisory body to UNESCO and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and currently operates branches in 35 countries worldwide.

The main activities of Green Cross include: ▲educational and cultural enlightenment to promote awareness for the protection of the global environment and human survival; ▲support for the recovery from international environmental disasters and for environmental health and welfare; ▲support for the development of next-generation sustainable energy; ▲protection of water resources and prevention and resolution of water-related conflicts; ▲protection of the planet and human survival from nuclear threats and war; and ▲initiatives to green the global environment.

Ahn Jungup, who has been appointed as the new representative of the Korea branch, has served as Chairman of the Jeju Village Culture Promotion Institute and as head of the Seogwipo chapter of the Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations of Korea. He has a long-standing track record in civil society, as well as in the fields of environment and historical culture both domestically and internationally. In particular, he is recognized as a key figure in the local community who has led positive change in the environmental and social sectors by successfully implementing a variety of social contribution projects, including those focused on sustainability, environmental education, and support for vulnerable groups.

In his inaugural address, Ahn stated, "I will prioritize the future of the planet and people-centered values, and take the lead in realizing an ecological community in partnership with citizens." He added, "As an NGO that creates actionable change, we will serve as a bridge connecting local and international communities."

The Green Cross Korea branch plans to promote international youth environmental and cultural education initiatives, such as a nationwide Green Life Guide and Green Life Practice Diary Contest for elementary school students, as well as an environmental drawing contest.

Additionally, Ahn explained that the branch will work to protect marine and freshwater environmental resources, discover Korea's leading eco-friendly figures through the "K-Green Star Awards" and related certification activities, and promote the hosting of an International Environmental Safety Expo.

A representative of Green Cross Korea stated, "Under the new representative's leadership, we will focus not only on protecting the global environment but also on realizing the values of social solidarity and sharing for the protection of human survival." The representative added, "We will strive to encourage greater citizen participation and ensure that our efforts lead to practical policy proposals."