Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City and the Global Green Growth Institute Strengthen Cooperation for a Sustainable Blue Economy

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that today (April 28) at 4:20 p.m., at BEXCO, an official side event of the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC), organized by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), will take place.

The event will feature discussions on:

• ●Community-based economic growth initiatives for climate change response and marine ecosystem restoration,

• ●Sharing of national strategies for marine decarbonization,

• ●Exploration of effective cooperation models.

Participants include Mayor Park Heong-joon, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung, the German Ambassador to Korea, the Costa Rican Foreign Minister, and other high-level representatives.

Themed "Navigating the Future of the Sustainable Blue Economy," the event will discuss strategies for:

• ●Marine ecosystem restoration based on community involvement,

• ●Establishing low-carbon business models utilizing blue carbon ecosystems.

(Blue Economy: An economic model that promotes sustainable job creation and economic development while conserving marine resources.)
(Blue Carbon: Carbon absorbed by marine ecosystems such as tidal flats, seagrasses, and coastal vegetation.)

---

Busan City expects that insights gained from the marine decarbonization strategies of various countries will help shape new policies for building a low-carbon green city.

Strengthening ties with GGGI is expected to further accelerate the establishment of a sustainable marine economy model.

Previously, during a visit to Busan on March 24, GGGI proposed diverse policy cooperation initiatives, including:

• ●Collaboration in hydrogen energy fields,

• ●Resource circulation and plastic recycling industries,

• ●Joint promotion of blue carbon projects.

About GGGI:
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), founded in 2012, aims to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing and emerging economies.
It currently has 50 member countries, with Korea as one of its major financial contributors.

---

At today’s event, Mayor Park Heong-joon will emphasize:

"The ocean has always been, and will continue to be, the foundation of life and identity for Busan’s citizens.
Busan is highly sensitive to global marine threats such as climate change, sea-level rise, and ecosystem degradation, and we are committed to taking the lead in addressing them.
By collaborating with local shipbuilding companies known for world-class technology, and with talented universities, we aim to spearhead the development of eco-friendly ships, autonomous maritime technology, and blue carbon ecosystems.
From advancing cutting-edge technologies to preserving marine biodiversity, we will do our utmost to safeguard humanity’s oceans."

---

[Reference 1] GGGI Official Side Event Overview

Item	Details
Date/Time	April 28, 2025 (Mon), 4:20 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.
Venue	BEXCO, Exhibition Hall 1, Room 215
Theme	Navigating the Future of the Sustainable Blue Economy
Purpose	Sharing community-based economic growth and marine decarbonization strategies, exploring partnerships for blue carbon initiatives

Event Program

Time	Content	Speaker
16:20–16:25	Opening Remarks	Kim Sang-hyup, Secretary-General of GGGI
16:25–16:30	Welcome Remarks	Kang Do-hyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries
16:30–16:35	Welcome Remarks	Park Heong-joon, Mayor of Busan
16:35–16:40	Welcome Remarks	Song Sang-geun, CEO of Busan Port Authority
16:40–17:00	Keynote Speech	Lim Ki-tack, 9th Secretary-General of IMO
17:00–17:10	GGGI Blue Economy Video Screening & Group Photo
17:10–17:50	Panel Discussion on National Marine Decarbonization Strategies	Moderator: Malle Fofana, GGGI Asia Director

Panelists:

• ●Arnoldo Andre Tinoco, Foreign Minister of Costa Rica

• ●Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea

• ●Jung In-seop, CEO of Hanwha Ocean

• ●Dr. Oyun Sanjaasuren, Director of External Affairs, Green Climate Fund (GCF)

---

[Reference 2] Overview of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)

• ●Established: 2012

• ●Purpose: Support inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing and emerging countries

• ●Membership: 50 countries

• ●Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea

Major Activities:

• ●Policy development and implementation support for green growth,

• ●Green investment mobilization and advisory services,

• ●Public-private partnership collaboration (P4G, WGEO).

Organization:

• ●Assembly (highest body) composed of all member states,

• ●Council (main decision-making body) with 17 seats including donor countries, developing countries, private sector experts, and the Secretary-General.

Current Secretary-General: Kim Sang-hyup