Sejong, March 14 - The Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Jeoung Ae) participated in the 2nd Asia International Water Week (AIWW) that took place in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, from March 14 to 16, the largest in Asia. AIWW is Asia's largest water conference hosted every three years by Asia Water Council (President: K-water CEO Park Jae-hyeon). This year's event will be co-hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing and Asia Water Council under the theme of "Sustainable, clean and sufficient water for all."

Participants include Korean Minister of Environment Han Jeoung Ae, Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, ministers, deputy ministers, and politicians from Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, and Asia Water Council President Park Jae-hyeon (also the CEO of K-water).

Minister Han attended the AIWW opening ceremony, declaration, and keynote session. She signed MOU with the Indonesian counterpart for green infrastructure development between Korea and Indonesia. The minister also attended the Asia Water Ministers Meeting, a special session on water resources research cooperation between Korea and the Mekong countries, a special session on Green New Deal ODA, and bilateral talks with the Indonesian Vice President and Asian ministers.

Minister Han delivered congratulatory remarks at the opening ceremony on March 14. In her speech, she shared the endeavors of Korea to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and emphasized the significance of water in this time of climate crisis. The minister also called on each Asian country to cooperate to achieve sustainable development goals. The minister also jointly adopted the "Asia to World Statement," a joint commitment of Asian ministers.

During the keynote session under the theme of "Indonesia's smart eco-city in new capital," Minister Han shared Korea's experiences building Multifunctional Administrative City and Busan Eco-Delta Smart City. She expressed South Korea's will to work with Indonesia on moving the latter's capital to Nusantara. 

The Asia Water Ministerial Meeting was attended by the Ministers and vice-ministers of Korea, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan. Participants shared their countries' major water concerns and policy directions to reach each country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The Ministry of Environment presented South Korea's unified water management cases and other carbon-neutral water management policies, including hydrothermal energy, floating solar farms, and smart water management. Participants sought ways to respond jointly to climate change during the meeting.

ME, along with the Mekong River Commission, four Mekong River Commission member countries, and Joint Research Center for Spreading Korea-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation, attended the special session on water resources research cooperation between Korea and the Mekong countries to discuss cooperation in water resources management. 

The Korean Ministry of Environment and the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing signed an MOU on Green Infrastructure Development, which includes water management cooperation and building a smart green city. In addition, ME signed a statement of intent with participating countries to explore joint opportunities for Green New Deal and further cooperation. Minister Han also met with Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, and other officials to share Korea's water policies for carbon neutrality and discuss international cooperation projects. 

Minister Han said, "Asia is vulnerable to water-related hazards such as floods and droughts caused by climate change. Through this year's AIWW, ME will discuss solutions for Asia's water management and play a leading role in achieving carbon neutrality by promoting global green recovery."

Contact: Minjo Chun 

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr