The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) announced that it dispatched the Green Transition Support Team (led by Vice Minister Lee Byounghwa) to Indonesia, a key partner country* of Korea, from April 9 to 11. The dispatch aims to strengthen cooperative relations based on projects previously carried out in Indonesia and to expand the presence of Korean green industries in the local market.

*  Indonesia was selected as a key partner country for the 3rd phase of Official Development Assistance (ODA) (2021-2025, 27 countries) through the resolution of the 36th International Development Cooperation Committee chaired by the Prime Minister (January 20, 2021). It is a priority cooperation country in the fields of environmental protection, water management and sanitation, transportation, and public administration.

On April 9, Vice Minister Lee Byounghwa met with Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard, Vice Minister of Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning, in Jakarta and agreed to continue discussions on various areas of cooperation in climate and environment, as well as ways for Korean green companies to enter the Indonesian market, in support of Indonesia’s sustainable growth and green transition.  

Korea is currently carrying out a project to construct a water purification plant in Nusantara, the planned new administrative capital of Indonesia, with a capacity to supply 10,000 tons of water per day to 40,000 people. The plant is expected to provide clean water with a turbidity level of 0.5 NTU, which meets Korean water quality standards, and there are high expectations locally. 

In addition, during a meeting with Vice Minister Lee held in Jakarta on April 9, local Korean companies emphasized that in order to improve the conditions for Korean green industries to enter the market, the exchange and expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the climate and environment sectors should be prioritized. 

On the following day, April 10, Vice Minister Lee visited Bali, where the Ministry is promoting two projects. Wayan Koster, Governor of Bali, who attended the event, stated, “The Korean Ministry of Environment’s electric bus pilot project is a core part of Bali’s eco-friendly tourism policy, and we hope to further expand practical cooperation with Korea, a global automobile exporting country, to promote the spread of eco-friendly vehicles in Bali.” He also expressed his gratitude to Korea for supporting the smart water management project in Denpasar City, which is progressing smoothly and helping provide clean water to residents. 

In addition, Vice Minister Lee explained to Governor Koster about World Environment Day, which will be held in Jeju Island on June 5 under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” and suggested that Bali and Jeju could cooperate in addressing climate and environmental issues such as transitioning to eco-friendly transportation systems and tackling plastic pollution. Governor Koster responded by saying, “There is great potential for synergy when world-renowned tourist destinations like Jeju and Bali collaborate on eco-friendly policies.” He added, “If invited through the central government of Indonesia, we would like to visit Jeju and attend the World Environment Day ceremony.” 

Vice Minister Lee stated, “We will actively cooperate to make the three ongoing ODA projects between Korea and Indonesia a model of success and will continuously identify follow-up cooperative projects related to them.” He also mentioned, “These ODA projects will not only support Indonesia’s green transition and sustainable development but will also serve as a stepping stone for our green companies to enter the Asia-Pacific market with their excellent technologies, and we plan to provide thorough and solid support for this.”

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