Sejong, June 07 - The Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin) attended the Stockholm+50 environment conference in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 2 to 3, 2022, and discussed the environmental actions for a healthy planet. The conference commemorated the 50 years of the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment1, the first international meeting on environmental issues. The United Nations General Assembly convened the conference during the week of World Environment Day on June 5. The meeting was held under the theme of "a healthy planet for the prosperity of all - our responsibility, our opportunity." The UN's member countries and international organizations attended the meeting to urge environmental actions to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The Ministry of Environment introduced South Korea's policies on carbon neutrality and the transition toward a green economy at plenary sessions and leadership dialogues. It also called for international collaboration for the environmental protection of the planet. First, the Ministry outlined the plastic reduction policy and the plan for a legal foundation that becomes free from the linear economy linked from the mass production of plastics to disposal across the entire production, distribution, and consumption processes. 

Furthermore, the Environment Ministry introduced South Korea's policy efforts to protect environmental rights, including fine dust reduction, integrated water management, and the expansion of protected areas, while reaffirming the significance of the UN Conference on the Human Environment. The Ministry also publicized South Korea's environmental policies that encouraged public engagement, such as the nationwide volume-based garbage disposal system initiated in 1995 and the eco-point mileage program.

The Ministry of Environment attended the side event of the Partnership for Action on Green Economy, for which South Korea is a donor country, to advocate strong support for developing nations' transition toward a green economy.

In addition, the High-level Segment of the meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions took place on June 1, 2022, in Stockholm. Under the theme "Global Agreements for a Healthy Planet: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste," South Korea introduced our leading management programs for hazardous substances and encouraged all countries to implement the agreements.

Kim Beop-jeong, Deputy Minister of Climate Change and Carbon Neutral Policy, said, "Climate change, including net-zero, plastic waste reduction, has become the primary issue internationally. We will take a leading role in the climate and green economy discussions for South Korea to fulfill its responsibility."

1 The world's first international meeting on environmental issues convened from June 5-16, 1972 in Stockholm, Sweden. Participants adopted the Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment and established the United Nations Environment Programme. The World Environment Day (June 5) was first held in the following year due to the conference.

Contact: WON Hye-lim, Deputy Director

International Cooperation Division / +82-(0)44-201-6565 

Foreign Media Contact: CHUN Minjo

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