Collaboration with UCL on Urban Innovation and Climate Research
Laying the Groundwork for Attracting COP33
Arctic Circle Assembly Presents Vision for "Carbon-Neutral Industrial City Pohang"
Strengthening Northern Economic Cooperation
Lee Gangdeok, mayor of Pohang, explained the outcomes of his visit to the United Kingdom and Iceland on the 21st at the city hall briefing room, stating, "This business trip has become an important starting point for Pohang to move forward as a sustainable city growing together with the world."
Lee Gangdeok, mayor of Pohang, explained the outcomes of his visit to the United Kingdom and Iceland on the 21st at the city hall briefing room.
He explained that the tour, which took place from the 13th to the 18th and included London and Brecon in the United Kingdom as well as Reykjavik in Iceland, was focused on strengthening Pohang's future competitiveness and building core infrastructure to elevate the city into a global metropolis.
In London, United Kingdom, he met with Jackie Glass, Dean of The Bartlett Faculty at University College London, Professor Mark Maslin, and others, proposing: ▲joint hosting of international seminars based on the Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center (POEX), ▲a joint research project on sustainable cities with Pohang University of Science and Technology and Handong Global University, and ▲cooperation to attract the 33rd Conference of the Parties (COP33) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to Pohang.
Mayor Lee stated, "The partnership with University College London holds symbolic significance as Pohang transitions into a carbon-neutral industrial city."
He then visited Christ College Brecon (CCB), a prestigious school under royal patronage, and agreed to establish a cooperative relationship for the founding of Pohang International School, the first of its kind in North Gyeongsang Province. Pohang City delivered an official invitation letter to Chairman Michael Davies and announced plans to invite school officials in November to inspect the school site within Pentacity, with the aim of signing an agreement and opening the school in 2029.
Mayor Lee said, "Attracting an international school is expected to have a positive ripple effect, such as attracting global companies to the region and fostering talent."
Additionally, Mayor Lee presided over a business session on the theme of "Cooperation with Global Innovation Industry Zones" at the Arctic Circle Assembly held in Reykjavik, Iceland. He introduced Pohang's carbon neutrality efforts and new industry strategies, emphasizing the role of local governments in presenting sustainable solutions in the era of climate crisis.
He also held a series of meetings with ?lafur Ragnar Gr?msson, Chair of the Arctic Circle Assembly, as well as ministers from Iceland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Climate, and the Chair of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC). They discussed strategies for Pohang to become a hub city along the Arctic route, including forming a coastal city consultative body for the Arctic route, exchanges between Yeongilman Port and Icelandic ports, and joint development of electric fishing vessels.
In particular, during his meeting with Chairman Gr?msson, Mayor Lee invited him to the World Green Growth Forum to be held in Pohang and proposed hosting a regional forum of the Arctic Circle Assembly in Pohang. Chairman Gr?msson responded by expressing interest in Pohang's carbon neutrality and industrial transformation policies, and stated that if Pohang submits a proposal to host the Arctic Business Forum, he would actively review and support it.
Mayor Lee emphasized, "This visit has become an opportunity to elevate Pohang's urban innovation capabilities to a global level," adding, "Through sustainable urban innovation, international education, and northern economic cooperation, we will enhance Pohang's international status and capabilities."
Pohang City is laying the groundwork to become a global city by attracting an OpenAI data center, being selected as the host city for the 2027 ICLEI World Congress, and developing strategies to enter the Arctic route based on Yeongilman Port.
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