GGGI Joins Forces with Local and Global Stakeholders for Green Growth at World Green Growth Forum 2025

Pohang, Republic of Korea, May 15, 2025 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) participated in the World Green Growth Forum (WGGF) to advance collective efforts for a green transition across regions. Under the theme: “Going Green for the Future: Discovering the Path Through Challenges,” the forum gathered governments, businesses, academia, international organizations, and civil society to explore innovative ideas and solutions for green growth.  

Speaking alongside H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of GGGI and Mr. Adair Lord Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission, GGGI’s Director-General, Mr. Sang-Hyup Kim, delivered the keynote speech titled “From Ambition to Action: Realizing Green Growth for a Sustainable Future.”  

The Director-General emphasized the gap between global ambition and action on sustainable development, noting that climate action cannot solely be pursued at the national level. Local governments and communities, businesses, and civil society must all play critical roles in driving the green transition. He also discussed the rapid transformation occurring in industries, such as steel, and provided two examples of successful transformations: Luxembourg, which has shifted from a steel steel-based industrial city in Europe to a green finance hub, and Japan, which is massively investing in steel decarbonization through the development of its clean hydrogen ecosystem. Director-General Kim also highlighted Pohang as an example of a city embracing the transition from a traditional steel industry to a more sustainable and green economy, positioning itself as a champion of sustainable urban development. 

Building on this city-level action, the Director-General outlined GGGI’s approach to turning ambition into action on a global scale. He highlighted GGGI’s activities in policy support, green finance, mentioning that in 2024 alone, GGGI helped mobilize USD 4.1 billion of green investment commitments, with 68% of these coming from the private sector, totaling over USD 14.5 billion in commitments since 2015.  

Director-General Kim also shed light on innovation and technology for green growth: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and clean hydrogen. GGGI has recently joined the Coalition for Sustainable AI and is developing an AI-based monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system for its Member States and Partners for high-integrity transactions. Additionally, GGGI is developing the new, highly impactful “H2G” Initiative (Hydrogen to Green Growth for a Sustainable Future) aiming to unlock clean hydrogen’s full potential through partnerships and collaboration.  

During the Forum, GGGI, Pohang City, and Pohang City Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU is a recognition of the importance of city-level climate action and partnerships for green growth. It cements the partnership between GGGI and Pohang city, focusing on supporting green growth and carbon neutrality, and covering areas such as green investment, climate projects, greenhouse gas mitigation, and green growth initiatives for developing countries.  

“Looking at the path ahead, one thing is clear—climate action can’t happen only at the national level. In fact, it’s often at the local level—in our cities and regions—that the real impacts of climate change are felt most deeply. And it is also where we see some of the most powerful opportunities for accelerated change. […] I want to make a special call to local governments, communities, and non-state actors — businesses, civil society, researchers, and everyday citizens. We need all of you in this fight. Your innovation, your action, and your leadership are absolutely essential,” Director-General Kim emphasized.  

With WGGF 2025 as a milestone for multi-level action toward green growth, GGGI is committed to driving forward its approach, actions, and results in collaboration with global and local actors, with the ambition to develop innovative strategies and solutions to tackle climate change and environmental challenges. 

Source : GGGI Joins Forces with Local and Global Stakeholders for Green Growth at World Green Growth Forum 2025