Discussion on International Cooperation for Integrated Responses to Climate Change and Air Pollution

- The 5th International Forum on Transboundary Air Pollution in Commemoration of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (Sep. 8)

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted an international forum on Monday, September 8, to call for global action to address transboundary air pollution. Marking its fifth year, the International Forum on Transboundary Air Pollution was convened in commemoration of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (September 7), the first UN-designated international day proposed by the Republic of Korea, which also serves as a national commemorative day.

※ In December 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies as a UN international day.

2. This year's forum featured in-depth discussions among domestic and international experts under the themes of "Prospects for Air Quality in East Asia and Strategic Pathways for Regional Cooperation" and "Strengthening Cooperation for Joint Responses to Transboundary Air Pollution: Insights from Case Studies." Approximately 150 experts from governments, international organizations, academia, and research institutions participated in the event.

3. In his opening remarks, Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change Chung Keeyong noted that the designation of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, made possible by Korea's initiative, has led to broad international consensus on the need for cooperation for clean air, as well as progress in global efforts to improve air quality.

4. Ambassador Chung also underscored that international efforts should continue and be strengthened, considering that many regions still suffer from bad air quality. As fundamental principles, he referred to the following: science-based actions, solidarity for developing countries' capacity building, and integrated approach linking climate change and air pollution policies.

5. Forum participants shared views on the necessity of integrated responses to climate change and air pollution, agreeing on the importance of formulating science-based policies so that climate action and air quality improvement measures can reinforce each other.

6. In addition, participants introduced various cooperation initiatives, such as the North-East Asia Clean Air Partnership (NEACAP) and the Clean Air for Sustainable ASEAN (CASA) program, and shared regional norm-setting cases, including the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) in Europe and the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).

7. This forum has contributed to presenting policy directions for addressing transboundary air pollution and to exploring possibilities for diverse forms of international cooperation.