Enhancing Republic of Korea’s Role as “Green Ladder” through Strengthened Cooperation with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Insun attended the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) held at the GGGI headquarters in Jeong-dong, Seoul, on March 25. On this occasion, she met and extended encouragement to Director-General of the GGGI Frank Rijsberman and its staff.

※ The GGGI was launched as a non-profit foundation in June 2010 and transformed into an international organization in October 2012 upon the entry into force of its establishment agreement. The GGGI supports developing countries' green growth and response to climate change. It started with 18 member countries in 2012 and has 48 members as of March 2024.

Vice Minister Kang noted that the GGGI, established and developed into an international organization by the ROK government, has become a model of international cooperation and a valuable platform for helping developing countries vulnerable to climate change respond to it and transition to a green economy.

Furthermore, she highlighted that the renewal of the MOU and the increase in Korea's core funding from USD 12 million to USD 13.5 million reflect its commitment as a Global Pivotal State to enhance its contribution to the international community's transition to low-carbon green growth and to clean energy.

Vice Minister Kang recalled President Yoon Suk Yeol's remarks that Korea remains committed to its role as a "Green Ladder" to bridge the climate gap in the international community by drawing upon its development experience. On that note, she conveyed Korea's intention to continue rendering support to the institute.

In response, Director-General Rijsberman expressed his gratitude to the Korean government for its active support and the increase in funding for this year. He went on to say that the GGGI will continue to actively offer developing countries advice on green growth policies and support on their implementation and expand green investments, in cooperation with the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, Vice Minister Kang awarded the Minister of Foreign Affairs' Certificate of Merit to Senior Strategy Officer of the GGGI Ahn Jae Eun, who has been with the organization since its early days contributing to its growth and to Korea's response to climate change through the institute. The Vice Minister also offered encouragement to the hard-working Korean personnel of the GGGI.