The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that the 24th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM* 24) involving South Korea, Japan, and China will take place from November 3 to November 4 at the Prince Hotel in Nagoya, Japan.

*TEMM: Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting among Japan, Korea, China

This meeting will be attended by government representatives from the three countries, including Minister Han Wha-jin from the South Korean Ministry of Environment, Minister Ito Shintaro from Japan's Ministry of the Environment, and Minister Huang Runqiu from China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The meeting will commence with bilateral discussions between the countries on November 3, followed by the main session of the TEMM on November 4. The event will conclude with the signing of a joint agreement and a press conference.

The TEMM, initiated by South Korea's proposal in 1999, is an annual ministerial-level forum where the three countries take turns hosting. It aims to address Northeast Asia's environmental issues, including fine dust (PM2.5), through collaborative efforts.

During this meeting, the ministers from the three countries will introduce their respective major environmental policies and discuss cooperation on regional environmental issues. 

Minister Han Wha-jin will review the progress of the Tripartite Joint Action Plan (TJAP) in eight areas*, including air quality improvement, circular economy, and biodiversity. Additionally, plans for dust reduction cooperation with Mongolia will be discussed.

* Eight areas: Air quality improvement, circular economy, marine and water environmental management, climate change, biodiversity, chemical management, green economy, and environmental education

The ministers will assess the outcomes of the joint action plan in the eight areas and are scheduled to adopt a joint agreement on November 4, outlining the review results and future cooperation plans.

As a side event at this TEMM 24, a youth forum involving young participants from the three countries will be held. Fifteen young representatives (five from each country) selected by their respective countries will discuss the theme "Towards the Harmonious Coexistence with Nature: Inspiring Education for the Future."

Furthermore, individuals who have contributed to trilateral environmental cooperation will receive the "TEMM Environmental Award" during the meeting. For South Korea, Dr. Moon Saeromi from the National Institute of Ecology, recognized for her research on desert ecosystems' restoration for dust reduction in Northeast Asia, has been selected as the awardee.

Minister Han Wha-jin stated, "The three countries are adjacent and mutually influence each other environmentally, so close cooperation is essential." She added, “We will discuss and seek solutions for environmental issues such as fine dust and climate change during the 24th TEMM."

Contact: Kim Yeon-soo, Deputy Director

International Cooperation Division / +82-(0)44-201-6573