Press Release

Board View

Minister Han Jeoung Ae introduced green recovery measures at UNEA-5.

Date:
2021-02-24
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▷ Sharing Korea's efforts in recovering its natural ecosystem and in becoming carbon neutral in its pursuit for a green recovery while emphasizing the need for enhancing global solidarity and cooperation in the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Minister of Environment, Han Jeoung Ae, as the head of a delegation attending the 5th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), held virtually over two days, starting from 5 PM on 22 February, introduced Korea's efforts in its pursuit for a green recovery.


UNEA is the world's biggest environmental summit where all of the UN member states attend and discuss business plans and budgets of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as major environmental issues. The Assembly was launched to meet biennially* and set out during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012.  


* Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided that UNEA-5 would take place over two sessions: the first session was held online on 22-23 February 2021 with a review on UNEP's business plans and Leadership Dialogue; and the second session will be held in-person to adopt resolutions in February 2022. 


This year, representatives of more than 150 UN member states, civil societies and youth organizations gathered virtually with Executive Director Inger Andersen of UNEP for UNEA-5 under the theme of "Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals."


During the session of Leadership Dialogue, minister-level representatives of more than 70 countries participated and shared views on sustainable green recovery strategies in the post-pandemic era. 


During the talk, Minister Han empathized the need to toughen up global action to shift into a sustainable society while sharing green recovery policies as well as sharing the experiences of Korea in battling to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.


First, she shared Korea's experience of recovering its natural ecosystem by taking actions favorable for the environment, including expanding protected areas and tightening the control over potential zoonosis. Moreover, Minister Han added that she expected the 4th session of the UN Environment's Forum of Ministers & Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific, scheduled to be held in Suwon, Korea, in October of this year, to lead to stronger global action for nature. 


* The forum is the UNEA's regional preparatory meeting organized by the UNEP and attended by representatives of governments of 41-member states, international organizations, and private sectors in Asia and the Pacific.  


In addition, Minister Han shared both Green New Deal policies and the 2050 Carbon Neutral Strategy of Korea, set out in late 2020, as well as introducing Korea's efforts in being fully prepared for implementation, including the phased implementation roadmap for carbon neutrality in each sector, which was initiated as of this year. 


While emphasizing that every stakeholder, including businesses and civil societies, should join forces towards a green recovery, she said that she planned to make the P4G* Summit, scheduled for late May of this year, in Seoul, Korea, a platform where we can reaffirm global solidarity for inclusive green recovery.

* Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 (P4G)


Representatives of the member states and international organizations who attended the Assembly agreed that UNEA-5 should drive the transition into an era of action and that global leadership is needed to reconcile with nature in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. 


Furthermore, they reached a consensus on consolidating global efforts and moving towards sustainable development by fully implementing multi-lateral environmental conventions, including the Paris Agreement this year.