Pohang Mayor Lee Gang-deok Demonstrates Global Leadership by Promoting Carbon Neutrality Achievements to the International Community

Participation in the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, Sharing the Role of Cities in the Climate Crisis Era

Attendance at the High-Level Session for City Representatives... Presentation of Pohang's Carbon Neutral Policy Achievements

Mayor Lee Kang-deok, "Seeking Joint Solutions with Global Cities for a Sustainable Future"

Pohang City is promoting its regional carbon neutrality policies to the international community at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties and is expanding its global network while enhancing its status as a leading city in climate change response.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang is presenting the achievements of Pohang's carbon neutrality policy at the high-level session for city representatives during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the 12th. Photo by Pohang City

On the 12th (local time), the city participated in the ‘29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29)’ held in Baku, Azerbaijan, sharing know-how on the role and direction of cities in the era of climate crisis with the world.

On this day, Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang attended the high-level session for city representatives held at the United Nations Global Innovation Hub (UGIH) pavilion, presenting the achievements of Pohang’s carbon neutrality policy implementation and suggesting the direction cities should take as agents of climate action.

The session was attended in person by Masamba Thioye, UGIH Chief Executive Officer, as well as the mayors of Giessen, Germany, and Mubende, Uganda. Mayors from cities in Indonesia, South Africa, and Cameroon participated online, drawing international attention.

The mayor began by describing Pohang as a steel city that led South Korea’s industrialization and a city that recognized the seriousness of the climate crisis early on and has strived for sustainable green growth. He explained that Pohang is leading innovative changes toward an eco-friendly city through industrial diversification, expansion of urban green spaces, and the introduction of renewable energy.

He also emphasized the successful promotion of the Pohang Greenway Project and efforts to expand carbon sinks to transform into a green ecological city, suggesting that cities worldwide should seek joint solutions to move toward a sustainable future.

Experts and international city representatives participating in the session showed great interest in Pohang’s diversification of the regional industrial structure through fostering new industries in various fields, despite its history as a steel industry city. They evaluated that Pohang could serve as a model case for cities worldwide facing similar challenges as traditional industrial cities.

Masamba Thioye, UGIH Chief Executive Officer, held a bilateral meeting with Mayor Lee Kang-deok after the session and said, “The speed of Pohang’s transition to new industries is very impressive, and we hope to share the specific know-how of the Greenway Project with the international community.”

Mayor Lee said, “It was a meaningful opportunity to meet many cities working to overcome the climate crisis, share experiences and cases, and explore cooperation methods. The climate crisis is a global issue that cannot be solved by the efforts of a single city alone, so we will gather wisdom to seek cooperative solutions.”

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties is being held from the 11th to the 22nd, with about 40,000 participants including representatives from 198 negotiating parties’ governments, international organizations, the private sector, and the media, making it the world’s largest climate summit.

Through participation in this international conference, Pohang City expects to promote its regional carbon neutrality policies and achievements to the international community and, based on this, strengthen cooperation with cities from various countries to become a catalyst leading efforts to respond to climate change.

On the 12th, the high-level session of city representatives held at the United Nations Global Innovation Hub (UGIH) pavilion during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties. Provided by Pohang City

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