POSCO Discusses ESG Management Advancement and Carbon Neutrality Strategies with Experts

Global Economic Research Institute Hosts 'ESG Global Summit' International Conference
Advancing Hydrogen Reduction Steelmaking Technology Development to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
Choi Jung-woo: "Leading the Carbon Neutral Era, Fostering a Leading Eco-friendly Future Materials Company"

POSCO held the 'ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Global Summit' international conference on the 17th at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas Hotel in collaboration with the World Economy Research Institute. From the front row, third from the left: Choi Jeong-woo, Chairman of POSCO Group; Ahn Cheol-soo, Member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party; Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General; and Bang Ki-sun, Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance.

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] POSCO discussed sustainable growth strategies, including ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management advancement and carbon neutrality achievement plans, with energy and international trade experts.

On the 17th, POSCO held the 'ESG Global Summit' international conference at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in collaboration with the World Economy Institute. Attendees included POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo, World Economy Institute Chairman Jeon Gwang-woo, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, Deputy Minister of Strategy and Finance Bang Ki-sun, and BlackRock Managing Director Henny Sender, among others.

In his congratulatory remarks, former Secretary-General Ban said, "Carbon neutrality and ESG are connected to a great transformation of human civilization beyond industry and economy," adding, "In this era of transition, no one should be left behind; we must move forward together."

Lawmaker Ahn emphasized, "We will utilize the global decarbonization trend and the implementation of carbon neutrality as an opportunity for green economic transition," and "We will carefully examine related policies and alternatives to ensure the successful implementation of eco-friendly growth strategies in the carbon neutrality era."

Deputy Minister Bang stated, "We live in an era of black tides where crises and disasters occur simultaneously and continuously," and "I hope this event will be a meaningful occasion to overcome the current complex economic crisis and explore possibilities for great transformation and sustainable growth."

Choi Jung-woo, Chairman of POSCO Group, is delivering a welcome speech at the 'ESG Global Summit' international conference held on the 17th at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas.

Chairman Choi Jeong-woo said, "In an era of ESG management and stakeholder capitalism, companies must create a future-oriented vision encompassing both economic and social values," adding, "POSCO Group will transform into a leading eco-friendly future materials company driving the carbon neutrality era, based on the corporate citizenship management philosophy, taking advantage of the transition to a holding company system."

Henry Fernandez, CEO of Morgan Stanley Capital International, delivered an online keynote speech, stating, "Uncertainty is greater than ever due to COVID-19 and economic slowdown," and "We must work together to prepare for the challenging future faced globally."

On this day, four keynote speeches and panel discussion sessions were held on the topics of ▲Advancement of ESG as a core corporate strategy ▲Global economic horizons and reorganization of the international order ▲Emergence of a new international trade order ▲Industrial growth strategies in the carbon neutrality era.

In the carbon neutrality session, POSCO Executive Director Kim Hee, a member of the National Science and Technology Advisory Committee, participated as a panelist, explaining global eco-friendly technology trends, POSCO’s hydrogen-based direct reduction steelmaking development status, and 2050 carbon neutrality implementation strategies.

Executive Director Kim said, "POSCO will secure eco-friendly technology and operational competitiveness, invest in electric furnaces, develop low-carbon operation technologies, and ultimately accelerate the development of hydrogen-based direct reduction steelmaking technology to achieve carbon neutrality, responding flexibly to market and customer demands for low-carbon products."

Meanwhile, Henny Sender, Managing Director of BlackRock, who attended the conference, visited the POSCO Center in Seoul on the 16th and met with POSCO Vice Chairman Kim Hak-dong and POSCO Holdings President Jeon Jung-sun to receive briefings on future new growth businesses, carbon neutrality, and ESG management promotion. BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company, holds a 5.02% stake in POSCO Holdings as a major shareholder.

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