Seoul to host ICLEI World Congress

Seoul City will host an environment assembly of the world’s largest municipality network this week in an aim to support inter-city ties and boost better cooperation for a sustainable future, officials said Sunday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives World Congress 2015 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, eastern Seoul, from Wednesday. It is the first time a Korean city will host the ICLEI’s flagship assembly.

A total of 203 city representatives from around the world, including Paris, Tokyo and Guangzhou, and over 250 officials from international bodies will participate in the ninth event. 

ILCEI, a world network comprised of more than 1,000 municipalities from 87 countries, seeks collective efforts into leading a sustainable future and tackling global climate change. Launched in 1990, the organization has focused on cutting carbon emissions. A total of 52 Korean cities have joined the international body, including Seoul, Incheon, Busan and Jeju City.

Under the theme of “Sustainable Solutions for an Urban Future,” the triennial event will provide opportunities to share each city’s green initiatives and seeks ways to boost the municipality’s role in solving global issues.

The five-day event will mainly consist of seven general meetings, eight special conferences and 28 sub-meetings. The general meetings will discuss global climate change issues and examine solutions for the sustainable development of regions. The special conferences will cover issues such as “urbanization and the future of water,” the city said.

In the Global Mayors Forum on Friday, municipalities will announce their specific goals and plans for reducing greenhouse gas. All city leaders will also adopt the Seoul Declaration to pledge to take more active action against climate change, it added.

The Seoul Declaration will be delivered to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP 21, which will be held in Paris in December, officials said.

Meanwhile, a special event will be held to connect local green industry officials with overseas counterparts, the city said. A climate change exhibition will also be opened at DDP and Seoul Plaza for civic groups and citizens, it added.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)