South Korea to host Climate Change World expo in 2030

South Korean Special Envoy Jang Sung Min. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard]

South Korea has announced that its 2030 global exhibition will be a climate change summit, aiming to showcase solutions for the environmental crisis.

The decision was influenced by the urgency to address the rising sea levels and the impact of global warming, said South Korean Special Envoy Jang Sung Min.

"The expo will be anchored on 'no single use of plastic expo' agenda. We want to demonstrate our commitment to a green and sustainable future," he said.

The expo will be held in Busan city, which will be South Korea's first World Expo host. Sung Min said the event will also highlight the importance of Africa in the global climate change equation.

"Africa climate summit is directly related to 2030 World Expo in Busan. This is our priority for Africa," he said.

Sung Min spoke on Wednesday during a press briefing at a Nairobi hotel, on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi. The summit, organised by the Kenyan government in collaboration with the African Union, is aimed at driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world.

President William Ruto, the convener of the summit, expressed confidence that the Nairobi Declaration - a new financing architecture for Africa's green agenda - will help the continent achieve its vision for green growth.

"It is a declaration that seeks to provide the backbone for Africa and the world economy that is decarbonised, sustainable and resilient," he said.

Sung Min said the Korean government will expand its partnership with African countries, especially Kenya, noting that Kenya is the gateway to Africa. He said they will strengthen bilateral and trade relationships by opening direct flights from Nairobi to Seoul city.

Kim Yeo Song Jun, South Korean Ambassador to Kenya, said the direct flights will increase trade between the two countries and Africa at large.

"We will invest more money in trade with Kenya and Africa and contribute to transforming the blue economy," he said.

According to the World Bank, South Korea exports about Sh80 billion to Kenya and imports to a tune of Sh65 billion from Kenya.