– Favored over Taiwan and the Philippines by a Wide Margin
– Congress Expected to Boost Regional Economy and Domestic Organic Agriculture

* Gyeonggi Province has been named the host of the 17th International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Organic World Congress to be held in 2011. As this will be the first ever Organic World Congress held in Asia, it is a highly significant indicator of the growth potential of Korea’s organic agriculture.

* The province’s bid was promoted by a delegation of 30 people, including Governor Kim Moon-soo, who visited Italy from June 15 to 24 while the 16th IFOAM OWC was in progress. Gyeonggi Province competed fiercely with rival bids from Taiwan and the Philippines, eventually beating the other two bids by a wide margin.

* IFOAM is an organization that is composed of farmers, processors, distributors and researchers involved in organic farming; it aims to promote the practice of organic farming, the preservation of agricultural ecosystems, and the production of food that is both plentiful and safe. IFOAM is working to provide organic farming technologies, expand the international certification system, and establish international standards for organic farming.

* IFOAM was established in 1972 in France, and has 750 members in 108 countries worldwide. There are 44 Korean organizations that are members of IFOAM, including the Korea Federation of Sustainable Agriculture Organizations, the Korea Organic Farming Organization, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture of Dankook University, and Paldang Saengmyeong Salim.

* The IFOAM OWC is held once every three years, and involves various organic academic events, discussion sessions for the development of organic farming, organic exhibitions, and IFOAM general meetings.

* The 15th Congress was hosted in Australia in 2005, and the 16th Congress was held in Italy in 2008. The 17th Congress will be held in Korea in 2011, specifically in Namyangju and Paldang in Gyeonggi Province.

* This was the second time that Gyeonggi Province applied to host the event. The province applied in 2005 to host the 2008 event, but was beaten by Italy by a slight margin.

* To win this time, Governor Kim visited the IFAOM and OSOFAR headquarters in Germany in 2007, expressing the province’s high level of interest in hosting the 2011 event. He has since made a considerable to promote the province’s bid, including the establishment of a committee exclusively for the event.

* This opportunity is expected not only to enhance the international reputation of Gyeonggi Province and of Korea in terms of environmentally friendly farming, but also to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly agriculture and the facilitation of organic farm production. It will also contribute to the enhancement of related industries, such as organic processed food, organic toys, and organic daily necessities.

* Moreover, around 2,200 visitors from 110 countries and 80,000 Koreans will visit the event, which will contribute to the promotion of Gyeonggi Province while simultaneously boosting the regional economy.

* Governor Kim said, “By hosting the event, I hope to contribute to the development of organic farming, both in Korea and around the world. I will do my utmost to ensure the success of this event.”

* Governor Kim also stated that Korean agriculture could secure international competitiveness through the adoption of more environmentally friendly farming practices. He presented a vision that would transform Korea into the world’s most environmentally friendly country by 2011 through active support for the growth of Korea’s organic agriculture and close cooperation with farmers.