“Korea: Geared for a Sustainable Future beyond Economic Growth!”

Yun Sun-Jin, Co-Chairperson of the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission”participated in the high-level video conference of the first Global Economic Development and Security (GEDS) hosted by the Boao Forum (September 14th)

- High-level video conference of the first GEDS hosted by the Boao Forum (Asian version of the Davos Forum).
*Agenda: Global economic outlook, sustainable development and economic security, and global economic governance
- Co-Chairperson Yun called for “2050 carbon neutrality” and “concerted efforts to cope with the climate crisis.”

□ On September 14th (Tuesday), Yun Sun-Jin, Co-Chairperson of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission, participated in the high-level video conference of the first GEDS hosted by the Boao Forum (hereinafter referred to as the “high-level GEDS video conference”). Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin outlined how Korea is navigating its “2050 carbon neutrality” strategy and urged concerted efforts to effectively cope with global climate changes.
* Key participants: A total of eleven key participants including Li Baodong, Secretary General of the Boao Forum, Yun Sun-Jin, Co-Chairperson of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission, and Danilo Türk, Honorary Chairperson of the GEDS.

ㅇ The Boao Forum, established in 2001, is a non-profit private organization that has held its annual conference in Boao (Hainan Province, China) in April since 2002. This forum is attended by Asia’s government officials, entrepreneurs, and figures from academic and political arenas.

- The Boao Forum hosted its first high-level GEDS video conference to discuss a wide array of topics encompassing the economy, climate change, environment, health, and science and technology while promoting international cooperation.
※ The Boao Forum, often referred to as the Asian version of the Davos Forum, inaugurated its Global Economic Development and Security
Forum(GEDS) this year and is scheduled to host its high-level GEDS forum in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, from October 18th (Monday) through October 21st (Thursday).

- For the aforementioned “high-level GEDS forum,” the first high-level GEDS video conference was held (Tuesday, September 14th, 17:00–19:00) as a preliminary session in which representatives from Korea, the US, China, Japan, Cambodia, and Laos delivered platform presentations and engaged in panel discussions.

ㅇ In the high-level GEDS video conference, speakers from Korea, the US, China, Japan, Cambodia, and Laos attended and delivered presentations on their respective countries’ green growth, sustainable development, and inclusive growth strategies.

□ In the GEDS forum, Yun Sun-Jin, Co-Chairperson of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission, declared the year 2021 as the first year of the post-2020 framework for global climate change and emphasized global cooperation to address climate change.

ㅇ Additionally, Co-Chairperson Yun highlighted Korea’s redoubled efforts to achieve “2050 carbon neutrality” through publishing the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios” (August 5th) and the passage of the “Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth” (August 31st).

ㅇ Co-Chairperson Yun also stated that the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission was reviewing a 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) draft to raise its 2030 NDC target, which will be presented to the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) scheduled for this November.

ㅇ Co-chairperson Yun further encouraged the member states of the Boao Forum, including China, to take the initiative to address climate change while inviting other states worldwide to join the forum’s efforts.

□ Li Baodong, Secretary General of the Boao Forum, reiterated the importance of global cooperation to effectively address the problems related to climate change. Danilo Türk, Honorary Chairperson of the GEDS, urged the international community to communicate and
cooperate with one another to successfully navigate the global economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on tackling the issues of vulnerable sectors in the context of healthcare, climate change, natural disasters, and poverty.

ㅇ The Secretariat of the Boao Forum introduced the upcoming “high-level GEDS forum” in Changsha (Hunan Province, China) in October following this high-level GEDS video conference and thanked the member states in advance for their active participation and special consideration.

ㅇ All the participants considered this video conference informative and appreciated the opportunity for them to better understand the situation of each country and deeply realize the importance of mutual cooperation.