Let's Hold Asia-Pacific Environment Ministers' Conference and Asia-Pacific Local Government Leaders' Summit Together

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Local government representatives participating in the 'Asia-Pacific Cities Leaders' Summit' and '2021 Humane Cities Suwon Forum' proposed to "regularly hold the Asia-Pacific Environment Ministers' Conference and Asia-Pacific Local Government Leaders' Summit together."

Local government representatives, led by Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young, released a 'Joint Declaration for Local Governments for Humanity and Nature' at the closing session of the 'Asia-Pacific Cities Leaders' Summit · 2021 Humane Cities Suwon Forum' held on the 5th at Suwon Convention Center in a hybrid format combining in-person and online participation. They stated, "We hope the two conferences will be held regularly together to become a model of 'multi-layered governance,'" and added, "We ask the Asia-Pacific Environment Ministers' Conference to continue to provide operational support."

Local government representatives pledged to: ▲Select 'local government policies for humanity and nature' that realize carbon neutrality by 2050, implement them responsibly, and conduct mutual verification ▲Strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of local government policies based on the linkage between science and policy ▲Build networks for exchange and cooperation with local governments in the Asia-Pacific region based on organic coordination and cooperation between national and local governments.

Furthermore, they stated, "The UN Sustainable Development Goals, the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050, and the newly adopted 'Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework' are closely linked global-level agreements for a sustainable future, and we reaffirm that responsibly implementing them is a public priority responsibility."

At today's forum held under the theme of 'A Challenge for Humanity and Nature,' in connection with the agenda of the 'Fourth Asia-Pacific Environment Ministers' Forum' to be held at Suwon Convention Center on the 5th-7th (achieving sustainable development goals through strengthened action for nature), participants sought ways to implement humane cities through realizing carbon neutrality based on nature.

The forum was jointly hosted by Suwon City and the Carbon-Neutral Local Government Practice Alliance, and organized by the Suwon City Research Institute and ICLEI Korea Office.

The forum proceeded with opening remarks by Mayor Yeom Tae-young, followed by a keynote speech (online) by Philipp Lahaela Walter, Senior Coordinator of Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure at ICLEI European Office, a special lecture (video) by Kim Beop-jeong, Director of the Climate and Carbon Policy Division of the Ministry of Environment, an 'Expert Session,' and a 'Local Government Session' (Asia-Pacific Cities Leaders' Summit).

Mayor Yeom Tae-young stated, "The damage that humanity must endure due to environmental destruction and climate change will become more serious in the future than in the present, and more serious in the present than in the past," and emphasized, "Carbon neutrality is the only choice to navigate the climate crisis, and immediate action by all of us is necessary."

He continued, "We must design 'carbon-neutral policies' that citizens can practice and provide incentives for all citizens to voluntarily participate," and stressed, "It is time for local governments around the world to take substantive action as the subjects of carbon-neutral policies and as reliable partners of central governments."

In the local government session held on the theme of 'Tasks and Strategies for Carbon-Neutral Cities by Local Governments,' panelists included Seoul Yangcheon-gu District Chief Kim Su-young, Dangjin Mayor Kim Hong-jang, Suncheon Mayor Heo Seok, Changwon Mayor Heo Sung-mu, and Cr Jenny Hill, Mayor of Townsville, Australia. Mayors of foreign cities participated in the discussion online.