[Photo] Lee Dong-jin, Dobong-gu Mayor, Emphasizes Solidarity and Cooperation Between Government and Local Governments on Climate Change Issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, participated in the Mokmingwan Club's 10th Anniversary Untact International Forum "10 Years of Local Autonomy Innovation, Drawing the Hope of Korea," held over two days on the 10th and 11th.

This international forum served as an opportunity to reflect on the innovative achievements of local autonomy over the past decade and to discuss the path for the next 10 years of local autonomy innovation together.

Speakers including Bruno Kaufmann (IRI-Europe Representative), Robert Binarsson (Founder of Citizens Foundation), Alexander Renner (Consul at the German Embassy in Korea), and Stephan Heinig (Head of Leipzig Urban Development Planning) presented on topics such as ▲Citizen participation and the future of direct democracy for local autonomy development ▲Exploring the possibilities of digital democracy amid the COVID-19 pandemic ▲Future trends local autonomy should focus on in the post-COVID-19 era ▲Regional balanced development strategies to overcome population cliff and regional extinction, followed by in-depth discussions with heads of local governments.

During the discussion on the second day of the forum, Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, spoke on "Climate Change Issues from the Perspective of Local Governments," stating, "Regarding climate change issues, it is a very important time for solidarity and cooperation between the government and local governments in institutional preparations on how to reduce fossil fuels and how to produce and distribute renewable energy locally," expressing opinions on energy decentralization and distribution along with local decentralization.

He also said, "Practical plans by local governments for carbon neutrality and institutional support and backing by the government and the National Assembly will also be very important factors."

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