International Conference Commemorating 'Blue Sky Day'... "Overcoming COVID-19 Requires Green Transition"

National Climate and Environment Council Declares International Cooperation for Air Pollution and Climate Change Solutions
Local Government Partnership... Korea, China, Japan Introduce National Air Policy
Ban Ki-moon "Hope Partnership Further Develops by Sharing Best Practices Among Countries"

Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the National Climate and Environment Council Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Presidential Committee on Climate and Environment (Chairman Ban Ki-moon), established to address fine dust issues, held the "1st International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies" commemorative international conference on the 7th at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul.

The conference limited on-site attendance in accordance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines and social distancing measures, while also conducting a webinar format to allow domestic and international participants to join online.

This event was held to commemorate the "International Day of Blue Skies," officially designated by the United Nations (UN) and led by South Korea. It aimed to promote international cooperation to solve air pollution and climate change issues and to share best practices among stakeholders.

The event began with an opening address by Chairman Ban Ki-moon, followed by a welcome speech from Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and a video congratulatory message from Minister Park Young-sun of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Ban stated, "Green transition, including the Green New Deal, is essential for recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and the implementation of the new climate regime in 2021," adding, "I hope the local government and startup innovation partnerships to be concluded through this international conference will further develop into partnerships sharing best practices among countries in responding to air pollution and climate change."

Minister Kang said in her welcome speech, "I hope the International Day of Blue Skies will be the first step to leaving clean air for future generations and serve as an opportunity to raise global public awareness."

Minister Park, in her video message, emphasized, "Consideration of sustainability is essential in the process of economic development," and pledged, "We will strive to help global young innovators, ventures, and startups aligned with sustainability grow into unicorns."

On the same day, a video message from Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), evaluating the Korean government's efforts in the international community to implement the International Day of Blue Skies resolution, was followed by a progress report from Professor Hong Yoon-chul of Seoul National University, co-chair of the Scientific Advisory Group for the International Day of Blue Skies.

Next, to reaffirm the commitment to improving air quality in Northeast Asia, a "Joint Local Government Partnership Declaration for Blue Skies" was held (with video participation), signed by 14 domestic provinces and cities and four overseas local governments from the Northeast Asian Regional Association of Local Authorities (NEAR).

Following the declaration ceremony, representatives from local governments in Korea, China, and Japan introduced policies related to air quality. From China, Li Ganjie, Governor of Shandong Province and former Minister of Ecology and Environment who personally visited Korea last year to deliver a keynote speech at the international forum, shared policy examples. From Japan, Shogo Arai, Governor of Nara Prefecture, shared best practices in air environment policies.

Yang Seung-jo, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, expressed, "I hope the joint local government declaration will become a global cooperation model leading the resolution of air environment and climate change issues," and stated his commitment, "Under the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, we will continue to promote the Chungnam-type Green New Deal for 'Clean Air for All.'"

A discussion titled "Youth Voices for Blue Skies" was also held. Seven young representatives from Korea and abroad, representing future generations, presented hopes and opinions for blue skies and clean air.

Prior to this event, as one of the key implementation measures recommended by the UN resolution designating the International Day of Blue Skies, a signing ceremony for the "Global Innovation Platform Partnership for Blue Skies" was held. Numerous organizations representing central and local governments, international organizations, global financial institutions, and corporations participated in the signing.

An official from the Presidential Committee on Climate and Environment stated, "We plan to further develop this event into a best practice sharing partnership platform involving various experts and stakeholders."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.