[COP33] South Coast and South Central Region Private Hosting Committee Launched... Full-Fledged Activities Begin in Yeosu

Civil Society Leads in South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang
Over 200 Participants Attend the Launch

Yeosu City in South Jeolla Province (Mayor Jeong Gimyeong) announced on the 22nd that the "33rd UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP33) South Coast and South Central Region Private Hosting Committee" was officially launched at Hidden Bay Hotel on the 19th.

More than 200 people attended the launch ceremony, including local governments from the eastern and western regions of South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang Provinces, civic organizations, and experts, marking the official start of activities to attract COP33.

On the 19th, Jeong Gi-myeong, mayor of Yeosu, delivered an encouragement speech at the "COP33 South Coast and South Central Region Private Hosting Committee Launch Ceremony" held at Hidden Bay Hotel. Provided by Yeosu City

The hosting committee includes over 30 civic organizations from 11 cities and counties: Yeosu, Suncheon, Gwangyang, Goheung, Boseong, Gurye, Jinju, Sacheon, Namhae, Hadong, and Sancheong.

This launch is significant as it represents the voluntary organization of civil society to carry on the legacy of the 2012 Yeosu World Expo and to showcase South Korea's climate response capabilities to the international community.

At the ceremony, Jeong Seokman, head of the preparatory committee, emphasized, "Although we failed in three previous bids since 2008, COP33 is a golden opportunity to redefine South Korea's climate leadership."

In a subsequent lecture, Oh Seongnam, a special professor at Soongsil University, stated, "The climate and energy policies of the Lee Jaemyung administration and the bid for COP33 are opportunities for South Korea to emerge as an international climate leader."

The newly elected co-chairpersons are Lee Sanghun (Yeosu) and Jeong Seokman (Sacheon). Going forward, the hosting committee plans to organize academic events and forums, promote agreements with local governments and political circles in South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang Provinces, propose policies to the central government, hold citizen resolution rallies, conduct public relations campaigns, and carry out international outreach activities.

Mayor Jeong Gimyeong stated, "The South Coast and South Central Region has been at the forefront of efforts to host COP since 2008, and especially, the Yeosu Declaration from the 2012 Yeosu World Expo became an international milestone for marine conservation and sustainability. Through attracting COP33, we will once again spread that spirit and focus all our capabilities to establish ourselves as a climate crisis response city based on blue carbon."