Environment Minister Meets Ambassadors from 64 Countries... Unifying International Cooperation Channels

On April 28, Minister of Environment Kim Wanseop announced plans to establish a unified body to discuss environmental issues with ambassadors from major countries.

Minister Kim attended the "Climate and Environment Meeting with Diplomatic Missions in Korea" held at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the same day. This meeting was organized to respond to international discussions on environmental issues and to strengthen cooperation with other countries. Over 90 participants attended, including ambassadors from 64 countries such as Italy and Brazil, as well as representatives from international organizations based in Korea.

Minister Kim introduced Korea's carbon neutrality policy, the current status of international development cooperation, and related strategies to the ambassadors. Directors-general and heads of affiliated agencies from the Ministry of Environment also directly presented policies related to resource circulation and water management.

The Ministry of Environment plans to turn this meeting into a regular consultative body where country-specific agendas can also be discussed. Currently, international cooperation channels in the environmental sector are fragmented. The ministry intends to integrate these channels and establish bilateral discussion bodies tailored to the conditions of each region and country.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment shared plans for an event to be held in Jeju on June 5 to mark World Environment Day with each country and requested the participation of ministers from partner nations. The ministry plans to hold a ministerial roundtable and organize a forum to seek solutions to plastic pollution.

Minister Kim stated, "Joint cooperation with the international community is more necessary than ever to respond to the environmental crisis," and added, "Taking World Environment Day as an opportunity, we will strengthen our global network and take a leading role in discussions and cooperation within the international community."