Sejong, November 28 - The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, concluded on November 20 with the adoption of the Sharm El-Sheikh Implementation Plan, the final agreement. Around thirty thousand individuals from 198 nations, industries, and civic organizations attended COP27. South Korean delegation headed by South Korean Environment Minister Han Hwa-jin, and members of the delegation comprised of officials and experts from concerned ministries attended COP27. In addition, Na Kyung-won, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Environment, attended the summit, and Kim Sang-hyup, a chairperson of the Carbon Neutrality Commission, also attended COP27.

As this Convention was held in Africa, which is experiencing severe damage from global warmings, such as extreme drought, 'adaptation' and 'loss and damage' were the primary topics of discussion between developed and developing nations. For the first time in 30 years after the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), the issue of raising funds to respond to 'loss and damage' caused by climate change was adopted as an official agenda item for the Conference of the Parties. During the COP27, intense discussions led to an agreement to establish a fund for the most vulnerable nations to climate change. In addition, an agreement was reached on the operation of the "Mitigation Work Programme" and the establishment of a framework to achieve global adaptation goals. Despite concerns that the COP27 would backslide from the "Glasgow Climate Agreement" (COP26), some progress has been made. However, developed countries, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and others requested global emissions peak be reached by 2025. They also requested to put more effort into phasing out coal power generation and reducing fossil fuel subsidies decided in the Glasgow Climate Agreement. However, their demands were not reflected in the agreement.

In addition, it was decided to create a "Just Transition Work Program" to discuss the path of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement objectives. Beginning with COP28, a "high-level ministerial roundtable on a just transition" will be held annually.

Meanwhile, summits on the Convention were held again this year, with representatives from 112 countries in attendance. In their speeches, the leaders of each nation described their countries' implementation efforts to combat climate change. They urged additional action beyond the scope of agreements made at COP26 to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Government Delegation Activities

At the Convention, 132 seats in the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and related organizations were up for election. The Director of the Green Climate Fund (Ministry of Economy and Finance) was appointed as the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) director. Another Director of the Green Climate Fund (Ministry of Economy and Finance) was appointed as a Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) member, laying the groundwork for active participation in the international community's discussions on climate finance. 

In addition, the Korean delegation prepared a national proposal on major agenda items, including reduction and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, before the start of the Convention and actively expressed its position. The Korean delegation co-chaired the agenda for the Transparency Framework. In the outcome , the Korean delegation contributed to the negotiations' advancement by adapting the text emphasizing the significance of expanding clean energy in the energy mix to internationally expand clean energy, such as nuclear power utilizing new technology and green hydrogen. 

It has been determined that the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, next year.

Contact: Kim Do-hun, Deputy Director

Climate Change International Cooperation Team / +82-(0)44-201-6606

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

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