Commencement of 2023 World Climate Industry EXPO in Busan on May 25 Positions Korea as a Leader in the Climate Industry

    LOS ANGELES, CA, June 03, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The 2023 World Climate Industry EXPO (WCE) occurred on Thursday, May 25 at BEXCO in Busan, featuring the active participation of various government entities. Centered around climate energy, this extensive event was closely aligned with the overarching theme of the 2030 Busan World Expo.

The WCE spanned three days, culminating on Saturday, May 27. Embracing the theme of "Rising Above the Climate Crisis Toward Sustainable Prosperity," the Expo harmoniously resonated with that of the 2030 Busan World Expo: "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future."

The WCE 2023 is of particular national significance as it encompasses a cohesive array of climate-related events that receive active promotion in Korea. Furthermore, the selection of Busan as the venue holds significant implications for the government's endeavors in hosting the 2030 Busan World Expo.

The WCE aimed to lead the climate industry and foster new growth engines by bringing together domestic and international companies involved in the climate energy sector, alongside prominent government officials, representatives from international organizations, and academic professionals. The event primarily featured the following components: the Opening Ceremony, the Conference (comprising Business, City, and Leaders Summits), the Exhibition, Special Events, and the Closing Ceremony.

On May 25, the opening ceremony was graced by the presence of notable figures such as Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won, and Emeritus Professor of UC Berkeley Richard A. Muller. The ceremony encompassed various activities, which included welcome and congratulatory speeches, keynote speeches, as well as a video presentation delivered by Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The conference was organized in a sequential manner, including the Business Summit, City Summit, and Leaders Summit as part of its series of programs. The Business Summit included a Business Leaders Roundtable, designed to foster dialogue about green business expansion strategies among leading international businesses and organizations. Subsequent sessions dedicated to low carbon energy and ESG management explored how corporations can contribute to a sustainable future.

The City Summit hosted the City Mayors Roundtable and the Carbon-Neutral City Session, fostering discussions on policy and collaborative solutions to urban issues stemming from the climate crisis, while also showcasing noteworthy examples of sustainable, eco-friendly cities. The Leaders Summit convened leaders from nations and international organizations actively engaged in addressing the climate crisis, serving as a forum for dialogue on potent strategies to surmount the difficulties brought about by climate change.

The exhibition featured five distinct areas: the Clean Energy Zone, Energy Efficiency Zone, Future Mobility Zone, Net-Zero Tech Zone, and Climate & Environmental Tech Zone, alongside a special World EXPO 2030 Busan Promotion Zone. These sections showcased cutting-edge technologies and products related to the climate industry, including clean energy and energy efficiency solutions, presented by 500 domestic and global companies. The exhibition served as an interactive platform for establishing business networks through activities such as export consultations, and importantly, it played a crucial role in promoting the 2030 Busan World Expo.

On May 24 at 6 p.m., a welcome reception took place at Paradise Hotel Busan, during which Mayor Park Heong-joon cordially welcomed the esteemed guests in attendance at the Expo.

Highlighting the importance of the occasion, Mayor Park pointed out, "The WCE 2023 not only raises Korea's profile as a global leader in the climate industry, but also presents an opportunity to showcase our efforts towards hosting the 2030 Busan World Expo."

He continued, "The Busan World Expo is set to propose a visionary pathway towards a future that benefits all of humanity. With this in mind, we will highlight Korea's active response to the climate crisis, our pledge to pursue collective solutions, and thus underscore our duty as a conscientious entity within the international community."

The WCE 2023 successfully merged four previously separate annual events: the Carbon-Neutral City Conference, the Korea Energy Show, the Net-Zero Expo, and the Environment & Energy Tech (ENTECH). The Expo was organized and hosted by key government bodies, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Additionally, other organizations such as Busan Metropolitan City, the World EXPO 2030 Bid Committee, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Korea International Trade Association were actively involved. The exhibition of WCE 2023 showcased various zones, including the Net-Zero Tech Zone, Clean Energy Zone, Energy Efficiency Zone, Future Mobility Zone, World EXPO 2030 Busan Promotion Zone, and Climate & Environmental Tech Zone.

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