Republic of Korea and UNEP commit to enhanced collaboration for the greening of economic recovery and mobilizing action for carbon neutrality

In a virtual bilateral meeting on 25 November, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen and Korean Minister of Environment Myung-rae Cho agreed to strengthen the long-standing partnership between UNEP and the Republic of Korea through close collaboration and support for a green and inclusive economic recovery from COVID-19 toward carbon neutrality, in particular through the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE).

“I applaud the Korean Green New Deal. The world urgently needs concrete roadmaps that safeguard the environment and promote climate action if we are to achieve the global commitments in Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement,” said Inger Andersen. 

“As the first action-oriented and participatory green recovery plan, the Green New Deal with the 2050 carbon neutrality pledge of the Republic of Korea will serve as a blueprint globally toward a more sustainable future”, said Myung-rae Cho. “In this defining moment in history, Korea stands ready to collaborate further with UNEP to make green recovery work for all.” 

In line with this commitment, the Korean Minister announced renewed support to scale up PAGE efforts for greening of the economic recovery from COVID-19. Korea will also share its expertise in designing and implementing recovery packages that aim to achieve carbon neutrality with UNEP and PAGE partners. 

The renewed collaboration will focus on areas including job-rich green economy policies, innovative strategies for carbon-neutral economic recovery; green fiscal policy measures, support for ecological restoration; and supporting and sharing best practices. 

The announcement of the Republic of Korea’s continued support comes at a crucial time, as PAGE sets out to implement its new 10-year plan to deliver on the Decade of Action on Sustainable Development, the PAGE Strategy 2021-2030. 

Under the new Strategy, PAGE will support an increasing number of countries to transform their economies into drivers of sustainability through a set of global services and country support package. The PAGE green recovery support programme, currently assisting 20 countries to implement government-led, economy-wide green recovery measures, will also leverage and complement the joint efforts. 

As part of the bilateral discussion, UNEP and the Korean Ministry of Environment also committed to close collaboration for the upcoming fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly; the implementation of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies; and for the success of Korea’s hosting of the second Partnership for Green Growth and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in late May and the fourth Forum of Ministers of Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific in early October of 2021.