Yeosu City Council COP Special Committee Urges Commitment to Host COP33 in the South Coast and South Central Regions

Proposal for Designation of Namhae and Annam Central Areas as Leading Districts for Climate Change Response

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] The Special Committee for COP Hosting Support of the Yeosu City Council in Jeollanam-do demanded an apology for the government's unilateral concession of COP28 and urged a commitment to host COP33 in the South Coast and South Central regions.

They also proposed designating the South Coast and South Central regions, which have actively promoted COP28 hosting activities, as a "Climate Change Response Leading District."

On the 28th, the COP Special Committee stated, "Although the government's concession of COP28 is regrettable, carbon neutrality remains an important value we must continue to pursue," and strongly urged the enactment of a special law including the designation of leading districts and the establishment of support institutions.

Regarding the concession of COP28, the committee criticized the government's response. The committee said, "We could not hide our disappointment at the announcement of conceding COP28 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)," pointing out that "the government made a unilateral concession without consulting the citizens of the South Coast and South Central regions, who have been working for 13 years since 2008 to host COP with the goal of responding to the climate crisis."

According to the committee, 12 cities and counties in the South Coast and South Central regions?including Yeosu, Suncheon, Gwangyang, Goheung, Gurye, Boseong, Jinju, Sacheon, Hadong, Namhae, Sancheong, and Goseong?have voluntarily conducted signature campaigns and promotional activities centered around the hosting committee.

The committee also focused its efforts on hosting support through street campaigns, meetings inviting members of the National Assembly, and drafting joint petitions from the city and county councils of the South Coast and South Central regions.

The committee emphasized, "The justification for hosting COP in the South Coast and South Central regions remains valid," adding, "It will serve as a cornerstone for East-West harmony between Yeongnam and Honam and balanced regional development, and will become a global success model where local governments cooperate to achieve carbon neutrality."

They urged, "The government must reassess the vision and value of the South Coast and South Central regions in responding to the climate crisis and promise to host COP33 in these regions."

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek simkt7@asiae.co.kr

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