The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that Vice Minister Lim Sang-jun attended the 6th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) held in Nairobi, Kenya from February 29 to March 1 as the representative of the South Korean government to participate in discussions on strengthening multilateral cooperation for global environmental crisis resolution.

The UNEA is held every two years in Nairobi, Kenya, where ministers and vice ministers from UN member countries gather to discuss the operational plans and budget of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and adopt resolutions and declarations in the highest-level environmental conference. 

The 6th UNEA, with the theme of 'Effective, Inclusive and Sustainable Multilateral Actions to Tackle Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution (including air and plastic pollution),' was attended by ministers and vice ministers from 190 countries, as well as Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the UNEP, and representatives from civil society and non-governmental organizations.

Vice Minister Lim Sang-jun emphasized concrete goal achievement for resolving environmental crises through the national statement. He particularly highlighted South Korea's role as a 'green ladder' capable of effectively delivering funds to developing countries for climate crisis resolution. Additionally, he urged swift and secure completion of the global plastic pollution treaty* within this year, calling on UN member countries for prompt support.

* A binding international agreement addressing the entire life cycle of plastics, including obligations for production, consumption, and waste management, along with enforcement and monitoring measures

Furthermore, on the occasion of this meeting, South Korea established the Host Country Alliance, together with the countries hosting negotiations for the global plastic pollution treaty, to facilitate prompt agreement on the plastic accord throughout the year. 

* Uruguay (1st), France (2nd), Kenya (3rd), Canada (4th), South Korea (5th)

Vice Minister Lim, along with ministers from Uruguay, France, and three other countries, as well as Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the UNEP, emphasized at the joint launch event held at the Nairobi conference venue on February 29 that an agreement must be concluded in Busan during the 5th intergovernmental negotiation in November this year to prevent further plastic pollution.

In addition, South Korea contributed to the adoption of a resolution (proposed by the United States) for global air quality improvement by participating as a co-sponsor, highlighting the collective international efforts to address air pollution.

During the UNEA, Vice Minister Lim held discussions with Alu Dohong, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia, and Aniko Raisz, the Deputy State Secretary for Energy of Hungary. They discussed the expansion of environmental cooperation in areas such as circular economy and environmental education. Furthermore, Vice Minister Lim had a meeting with Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the UNEP, and expressed the need to strengthen cooperation between South Korea and UNEP for the successful hosting of the 5th intergovernmental negotiation on the global plastic pollution treaty in Busan in November 2024 and the World Environment Day in 2025 (June 5, location TBD).

Vice Minister Lim stated, "We must act to be the change we desire," and expressed, "In the future, South Korea will continue to play a central role in leading global changes to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and air and plastic pollution."

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com