Pohang, a place to discuss green transition solutions… '2025 World Green Growth Forum' opens

The industrial city of Pohang has emerged as a center of international discussions seeking green transition solutions to overcome the climate crisis.

On the 14th, the '2025 World Green Growth Forum (WGGF)' opened grandly at the Pohang Lahan Hotel, and experts, cities, and companies from around the world began to seek practical cooperation measures for sustainable green growth.

The forum, held under the theme of 'Green Transition for the Future: Finding a Way Amid Challenges!', was more meaningful as it was established as a place for international cooperation to jointly respond to the climate crisis, a serious global issue, and simultaneously achieve sustainable economic growth.

This forum, which was actively attended by major international organizations such as the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the UN Climate Change Innovation Hub, and ICLEI Korea, as well as global companies such as POSCO and EcoPro, was attended by approximately 300 key figures from Korea and abroad, heralding heated discussions.

The opening ceremony on this day began with a powerful opening speech by Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok, followed by a warm welcoming speech by Pohang City Council Chairman Kim Il-man, and congratulatory speeches by former President Lee Myung-bak, Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo, and National Assembly members Kim Jung-jae and Lee Sang-hui. In addition, meaningful video congratulatory speeches by Minister of Environment Kim Wan-seop and GGGI Chairman Ban Ki-moon were held, along with Pohang City’s bold vision declaration ceremony for “Pohang, a carbon-neutral economic city we create together,” which received a warm response from the attendees.

In his video message, Chairman Ban Ki-moon emphasized that “this year marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and now is a critical time for humanity to stop its divisions and come together to jointly respond to the climate crisis,” and strongly urged active solidarity and action by governments and the private sector around the world.

On the first day of the forum, three main sessions were held that deeply covered the core directions and specific implementation strategies of green growth, drawing attention.

In the keynote speech, GGGI Secretary-General Kim Sang-hyeop gave a presentation on the topic of ‘From Vision to Action: Realizing Green Growth for a Sustainable Future’, and Adair Roderner, Chairman of the Energy Transition Commission, gave a presentation on the in-depth topic of ‘Energy Transition for Climate Crisis Response’, presenting the direction of green growth for a sustainable future and practical implementation strategies.

In the following sessions, various experiences and knowledge of countries and companies were shared, focusing on ▲global policy trends ▲innovative cases of leading carbon-neutral cities ▲roles and specific implementation strategies of companies leading new growth industries, and in-depth discussions were actively held on practical cooperation plans between cities and industries.

In particular, in the ‘leading carbon-neutral cities’ session, Pohang City, Yokohama City in Japan, and Tianjin City in China participated and presented their differentiated green policies and successful implementation cases, drawing great attention from the attendees.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang City presented in this session on the topic of ‘Great Transformation from an Industrial City to an Eco-City’, explaining in detail the diverse efforts and remarkable achievements of Pohang, which has successfully transformed from a gray industrial city in the past to an eco-friendly green city, and furthermore, clearly presenting Pohang’s vision for a sustainable future.

In the panel discussion that followed, the three cities had a meaningful time seeking practical cooperation plans among the cities by deeply discussing common agendas such as ▲ ways to effectively induce voluntary participation of citizens ▲ strategies to build a solid foundation of trust between local governments and companies ▲ ways to actively promote joint projects between marine cities.

In addition, they agreed to jointly build a sustainable low-carbon city model through restoration of blue carbon, an important carbon sink for the marine ecosystem, reduction of plastic, a serious environmental problem, cooperation in advanced technologies as a future growth engine, and exchange of key talents, and promised to continue practical cooperation in the future by holding joint seminars and sharing best practices.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang said, “Pohang is actively pursuing a successful transition from a former steel industry-centered city to a future-oriented green industry and innovative technology center,” and expressed his strong will by saying, “Through this World Green Growth Forum, we will widely inform the international community that local cities can also play a leading role in discussions on international environmental agendas, and furthermore, we will do our best to present a successful cooperation model among various industrial cities around the world.”

Meanwhile, on the second day of the forum, the 15th, in-depth sessions on various topics such as ▲ strategies for fostering climate tech unicorn companies, a promising future industry ▲ practical green growth cooperation plans ▲ the potential of blue carbon, a marine ecosystem that is attracting attention as a future carbon sink ▲ ways to practice carbon neutrality through active participation of citizens are scheduled to be held.

In addition, various linked programs such as the ‘Green Growth Idea Hackathon’ main judging, UGIH Pre-S.I.W, and Pohang Town Hall COP, where young talents from around the world participate and discover innovative ideas, are expected to further heat up the forum.

Source : https://www.breaknews.com/1116694