MOF to Participate in UNFCCC COP29

- To strengthen international cooperation on responding to climate crisis, including promoting green shipping routes

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) will attend the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP29, November 11 - 22) to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

 MOF has participated in UNFCCC COP since 2021 and held side events such as expert discussions. This year, in addition to identifying and responding to agenda discussion trends, MOF plans to hold side events in five areas: green shipping, blue carbon, monitoring and forecasting marine climate change, Our Ocean Conference, and international reduction of GHG.

 First, on Monday, November 11, a discussion meeting will be held on the topic of Green Shipping Routes with the participation of the US Department of State, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, and others. Since declaring “Cooperation to Build Green Shipping Routes with the US Department of State in 2022, MOF has been cooperating on the operation of green shipping routes in 2027. In this discussion, MOF plans to introduce Korea’s policies for decarbonizing marine transport, including the current status of the Korea-US green shipping route implementation and research on eco-friendly ships and alternative fuels.

 It will also hold an expert seminar on the same day to discuss blue carbon research and policy directions. MOF plans to submit a national proposal to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) by 2025 to have new blue carbons—such as non-vegetative tidal flats and seaweed—certified as carbon sinks. The seminar will introduce research outcomes to raise international interest in the new blue carbon certification and publicize the need for international certification.

 Moreover, MOF plans to hold a bilateral meeting with the IPCC Inventory Task Force Co-Chairs and request cooperation on putting the new blue carbon certification on the IPCC plenary agenda.

 From Tuesday, November 12 to Wednesday, November 13, side events will be held on the topics of ocean climate change monitoring and forecast, Our Ocean Conference, and international GHG reduction projects. MOF will introduce its policy for climate change response and request the international community's attention for the 10th Our Ocean Conference. It also plans to carry out activities to host the 4th UN Ocean Conference.

 “This UNFCCC COP29 will be an opportunity to promote Korea’s climate change response policies, but I expect it to promote research and international cooperation on carbon neutrality. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will continue to strengthen international cooperation so that it can play a leading role in overcoming the climate crisis,” said Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung.