Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim met with ICLEI Secretary General Van Begin to discuss cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and ICLEI on climate technology, biodiversity strategies and renewable energy development.

On March 11, Governor Kim met with Secretary General Gino Van Begin at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex and said, “It is very unfortunate that the Korean government has been regressive rather than proactive in responding to the climate crisis, but Gyeonggi Province is taking a bold and active role in addressing climate change… It is very encouraging to have you here. I hope we can engage in more activities together as a result of this visit.”

Governor Kim also announced that Gyeonggi Province will join the 100% Renewables Cities and Regions global RE100 campaign and encourage its 31 cities and counties to join. This campaign was launched by ICLEI to encourage local governments around the world to transition to 100% renewable energy at the city/region level. Governor Kim also requested ICLEI’s cooperation in inviting global climate technology companies to the Climate Technology Industry Exhibition that Gyeonggi Province will host later this year.

“Gyeonggi Province’s ambitious response to climate change, the Gyeonggi RE100 vision, is setting an example not only in Korea but also internationally,” said Secretary General Gino Van Begin. “We are honored to have Governor Kim as a member of the ICLEI World Executive Board representing East Asia. I hope he will join us at the World Congress in Brazil this June to share his commitment and achievements with the international community.”

ICLEI is an international organization that was officially launched in 1990 at the World Conference of Local Governments at the United Nations Headquarters. Its official name is the International Council of Local Governments for Sustainability.

It works with more than 2,500 local governments in 125 countries around the world to strengthen the capacity of local governments to implement sustainable development policies and to promote international exchange. The organization is headquartered in Germany and has offices in 13 countries, including Korea. In Korea, 57 local governments, including Gyeonggi Province, Suwon City and Gwangmyeong City, are members of the organization.

Governor Kim is the Executive Chairman of ICLEI Korea and the representative of the East Asia region on the World Executive Council. Gyeonggi Province hosted the ICLEI Korea office at KINTEX in Goyang City in April 2023, and is actively engaging with local governments around the world to share strategies for addressing issues in various fields such as sustainable development, carbon neutrality, and biodiversity.