The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that on September 1st, Environment Minister Han Wha-jin will meet with Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul (located in Yeongdeungpo-gu), to discuss strengthening environmental cooperation between South Korea and UNEP and to sign an agreement on contributing to the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) in 2024.

Executive Director Inger Andersen is currently visiting South Korea to attend the Korea Global Adaptation Week (KGAW) for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (August 28th to September 1st, 2023, in Songdo, Incheon). 

Through this bilateral meeting, the Ministry of Environment aims to explore cooperation measures for addressing international environmental issues such as △ air quality and biodiversity conservation, and △ the United Nations Plastic Treaty*. In particular, both sides intend to gather their determination to ensure the successful conclusion of the United Nations Plastic Treaty's 5th intergovernmental negotiations, which were ed to be hosted domestically in June this year (scheduled for the latter half of 2024).

* An international agreement (with the goal of being finalized in 2024) that includes key obligations, regulatory measures, voluntary approaches, compliance mechanisms, and actions for pollution prevention at each stage of plastic production, usage, disposal, and environmental release

In addition, Minister Han and Executive Director Andersen will jointly sign the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) 2024 Contribution Agreement and discuss support measures for action on green economies in developing countries. 

Minister Han stated, "Issues such as plastic pollution and climate change that we currently face are problems that can never be resolved if we don't take action right now." He further added, "This bilateral meeting will serve as an opportunity to expand South Korea's role on the international environmental stage."

Contact: Youm Seung-keon, Deputy Director

International Cooperation Division / +82-(0)44-201-6575