Sejong, October 14 - The Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin) and Jeju Special Self-governing Province (Jeju, Governor Oh Young-hun), together with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), held the IUCN Leaders Forum 2022 at the Jeju International Convention Center from October 13 to 15. During the forum, leaders from each level of government bodies, private corporations, civil societies, and international organizations discussed global environmental issues. The environment ministry, Jeju, and IUCN jointly hosted the World Conservation Congress in 2012 and the World Leader's Conservation Forum in 2015 and 2018. The IUCN Leaders Forum 2022 was held as cooperative relations continued to develop. 

IUCN invited leaders from countries who can lead economic and social changes to share their knowledge and experiences on the relevant issues. From the Korean side, Minister of Environment Han Wha-jin, former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, representatives of governments and corporations, and experts in the fields attended the forum. Leaders from various international organizations, including Elizabeth Maruma Mrema,  Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and Yannick Glemarec, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, attended the forum. Environmental ministers and vice ministers from various countries, including Uganda, the Maldives, Japan, and Finland, also attended. 

Under the theme of "Building a Nature-Positive Economy and Society," the participants discussed respective roles and action plans to attain the objectives of "nature-positive" by field and entities. "Nature-positive" is a relatively new concept in the environment following net-zero. Nature-positive means enhancing the resilience of our planet and societies to halt and reverse nature loss. The Leaders Dialogue, the forum's plenary, took place six times over three days, during which the participants discussed not only nature and biodiversity but also the economy, finance, agriculture, and energy. In addition to the Leaders Dialogue, the forum will offer various programs, including 13-panel discussions and promotional and side events. Pitch-event where young leaders worldwide can put forth new "nature-positive" projects was also held during the forum. 

The opening ceremony took place on October 13, with an opening address given by Environment Minister Han Wha-jin, followed by welcoming remarks by Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun and president of the IUCN Razan Al Mubarak. Zhuang Shaqin, the vice-minister of Ecology and Environment of China, the chair country of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) to be held in Montreal, Canada, from December 7-19, 2022, sent his congratulatory remark online. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave his keynote speech for "building a nature-positive economy." Sand art performances and photo taking were also held.

More details of the event can be found on the IUCN website (English only), which illustrates the main theme, programs offered, and speakers.

Minister of Environment Han Wha-jin said, "At this important juncture just before the COP15, I am happy to see the world leaders convened in Korea to discuss this significant global topic." She added, "I hope this event will be successful where leaders and innovators worldwide reap new inspiration and motivation."

Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun said, "Biodiversity loss and climate change are not exclusive to a specific region or a country. We need to build an economy based on nature and biodiversity to make it sustainable. I hope to see innovative solutions being discussed during this event."

Contact: Kang Chan, Deputy Director

Nature and Ecology Policy Division/ +82-(0)44-201-7238

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

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