The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that the 'Korea Global Adaptation Week 2023 for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change' held in Songdo, Incheon, concluded its five-day schedule and closed on September 1.

This year's Global Adaptation Week saw the participation of international experts and figures in the field of climate adaptation, including Majid Al Suwaidi, the Secretary-General and Special Representative for the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Harry Vreuls, Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Nabeel Munir, Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Along with over 1,000 participants from 66 countries worldwide, they addressed the progress of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)* and worked to enhance support for the implementation of national adaptation plans, filling gaps in previous adaptation discussions.

* Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): Established under Article 7 of the Paris Agreement, with goals to 1) strengthen adaptive capacity, 2) enhance climate resilience, and 3) reduce vulnerability to climate change.

This Global Adaptation Week holds even greater significance as it featured joint adaptation discussions between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Environment Programme. Furthermore, during the event, there were concrete discussions on climate adaptation, including urging countries worldwide to develop and implement climate adaptation plans and sharing experiences. 

Under the theme 'A New Era for Adaptation: Scaling Up and Transformation in Adaptation,' the opening ceremony, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP), the United Nations Environment Programme Conference of the Parties, and the international forums such as the Global Adaptation Dialogue were held.

In addition, various domestic events were held, including a declaration of adaptation by local governments in Korea for regional adaptation efforts in the era of climate crisis, an 

exhibition of award-winning artworks from a national adaptation drawing contest, and exhibitions on adaptation in the public and private sectors*.

* 24 institutions and companies, including the Korea Environment Institute, the National Institute of Environmental Research, the K-Water, the Korea Environment Corporation, the Korea 

Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, international organizations, and private enterprises (a total of 26 exhibition halls)

The international forum on Asia-Pacific national adaptation plans, hosted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, took place from August 28 to September 3, with the participation of over 200 attendees.

During this forum, discussions* centered around institutional and policy matters related to the overall process of developing and implementing climate adaptation plans. Through these discussions, participants shared specific information and cases related to the establishment, implementation, and monitoring of national adaptation plans, contributing to the advancement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's agenda on national adaptation plans.

* Scientific assessments for the establishment and implementation of national adaptation plans in the Asia-Pacific region, sectoral approaches, expanding resources, cooperation mechanisms, etc.

The 8th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum, organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, took place from August 30 to September 3, with the participation of over 300 attendees. 

The forum brought together various stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society organizations, and private sector experts. They held discussions* on a wide range of topics related to adaptation, including governance, science and technology, funding, sector-specific adaptation approaches, and the latest trends and knowledge in adaptation. These discussions aimed to foster cooperation among adaptation stakeholders and contribute to enhancing adaptive capacity in the Asia-Pacific region.

* Discussions considering various aspects, including resilience in food systems, ecosystems and ecosystem services, community resilience in urban areas, resilience in infrastructure and settlement areas, as well as the areas of human intelligence and social factors

The 'Global Adaptation Dialogue' began with an opening address by Vice Minister Lim Sang-jun of the Ministry of Environment, followed by a video message from former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. Majid Al Suwaidi, the Secretary-General and Special Representative for the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), delivered the keynote speech. Five leading experts* in the field of climate adaptation then took the stage to engage in in-depth discussions on the latest international trends and the current status of climate adaptation efforts in various countries.

* Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Harry Vreuls, Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Nabeel Munir, Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 

and Ambassador of Pakistan, Catherine Raper, Ambassador of Australia, Laksmi Dhewanthi, Director-General of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Chair: Professor Park Ju-young, Seoul National University, Department of Construction and Environmental Engineering).

There was a consensus that a strong resolution containing commitments to the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and Global Stocktake (GST)* must be reached at the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 28), scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates in three months. During the question-and-answer session with the audience, the importance of greater youth participation in the policy-making process and the need to incorporate their perspectives were emphasized. In his closing remarks, Vice Minister Lim Sang-jun stated, "Korea's experience in developing national adaptation plans has been a process of expanding participation and learning from many trials and errors. We are ready to share the valuable lessons we have gained with the international community."

* The Global Stocktake (GST) is a system for assessing efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement on a global scale. It is conducted every five years to evaluate progress. The first results of the GST are expected to be produced at COP28, which is happening this year.

Despite being an international event, this gathering also attracted attention for hosting various domestic activities. Particularly noteworthy was the "Scale up Local Adaptation, Act 

now!" event that took place on August 30, where local governments made declarations of their commitment to climate adaptation efforts. This event provided an opportunity for local governments in South Korea to demonstrate their determination to address the climate crisis and enhance their international standing.

The event was attended by more than 200 individuals, including Lim Sang-jun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Environment; Kim Sang-hyup, Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth; Yoo Jeongbok, Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, and 17 local government heads and officials. 

During the opening remarks on that day, Vice Minister Lim Sang-jun stated, "The frontlines that require climate adaptation are our local governments. We hope that the climate adaptation policies articulated through the declarations of local governments will translate into tangible actions."

In addition, various events involving young people who will play a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis attracted attention. On August 28, 28 young individuals engaged in 

activities as Carbon Neutrality Supporters and Eco Friends held a sharing session on carbon neutrality initiatives, where they presented their achievements for the year, including efforts related to carbon neutrality. On August 31, Korean youth engaged in a dialogue on climate adaptation, discussing South Korean youth's activities related to climate adaptation and future directions for their initiatives.

Minister Han Wha-jin of the Ministry of Environment stated, "The Korea Global Adaptation Week for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change provided a great opportunity for international figures, experts from South Korea, civil society, and youth, among others, to come together and share the current state of the climate crisis and future response strategies." She added, "The outcomes of the discussions held during Global Adaptation Week will be shared at the 28th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates in three months, contributing to progress on the international agenda for climate crisis adaptation.

Contact: Shin Seung-cheol, Deputy Director

Climate Adaptation Division / +82-(0)44-201-6964