1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with new Director-General Frank Rijsberman of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) on November 21. In the meeting, the Foreign Minister offered congratulations to the Director-General on taking office; relayed the willingness of the Republic of Korea to continue rendering support to the GGGI; and exchanged views with the Director-General on ways that the ROK and the GGGI can work together.

2. Minister Yun pointed out that the GGGI should contribute to efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals agreed upon by the UN members in 2015 as well as to the success of the new climate regime to be launched pursuant to the Paris Agreement, which had been brought into force in November 2016. He asked Director-General Rijsberman, an expert in both environment and development, to make active efforts to that end and develop the GGGI even further.

° Director-General Rijsberman, sharing the Minister’s view, responded that efforts will continue to help developing countries achieve green growth and thereby to make green growth a successful paradigm for national development.

3. Minister Yun, commending the GGGI for its remarkable growth over a short period of time following its launch as an international organization in October 2010, expressed the commitment of the ROK, which had led the establishment of the GGGI and hosts its headquarters, to continue rendering support to the organization. He added that the ROK wants to help developing countries achieve green growth and tackle climate change through the GGGI and to share with those countries its own experiences. He proposed that the ROK and the GGGI work closely with each other in that regard.

° Director-General Rijsberman, extending deep appreciation to the ROK for its support to the GGGI, voiced hope that the ROK will share its experiences with many developing countries through the GGGI, as they consider the country a model in the area.

4. Minister Yun brought attention to the plan to hold a “green roundtable” on November 30 to tighten the relationship between the GGGI and other relevant international organizations in the ROK, and the government agencies and related organizations of the ROK, and to discuss ways for them to work together in implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieving sustainable development goals in the area of environment. He asked the GGGI to attend the event.

° Director-General Rijsberman, extending appreciation for the invitation, responded that the GGGI will take an active part in the “green roundtable” to seek concrete ways for cooperation between the ROK and the GGGI.

5. The Foreign Ministry will remain highly cooperative with the GGGI in efforts to spread the green growth paradigm across the world.


* unofficial translation