European Union supporting future Korean Youth Climate Ambassadors in run-up to COP29

European Union supporting future Korean Youth Climate Ambassadors in run-up to COP29

Seoul, 2 July 2024

The European Union proudly supports the 14^th University Student Climate Academy, hosted and opened yesterday by the National Assembly Forum on Climate Change (NAFCC),a parliamentary study group specifically dedicated for climate changein Korea. This event underscores the importance of empowering youth to take decisive action against climate change.

Over the next nine days, approximately 35 university students will participate in an extensive training including a mock COP29 of the UNFCCC, lectures, and field trips led by experts from academia, research institutes, industry, and institutions. These activities cover a broad range of topics such as green policy, climate diplomacy, and industrial strategies. Outstanding students from this academy will have the opportunity to attend COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November, as youth ambassadors.

For the first time, this year's programme is co-funded by the European Union. This collaboration highlights the strengthening of bilateral relations in green initiatives between the EU and the Republic of Korea (RoK), following the launchof theEU-RoKGreen Partnership last year in May, when both parties reaffirmed their commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Participants of the 14^thClimate Academy will gain insights into EU strategies towards climateneutrality, particularly the EuropeanGreen Deal. Studentswill also have the chance to interview EU officials during a field trip to the EU delegation to debate and share views. Finally, selected students will benefit from EU support in their participation in COP29, in a context where youth is increasingly recognised as an important stakeholder in international negotiations.

Recognising the crucial need to empower youth in climate action, H.E. Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, Maria CastilloFernandez, remarked, "The European Union recognises the vital role of youth in shaping and driving the fight against climate change. […] We repeatedly say that your generation will be most affected by climate change and that you should stand at the very core of the climate dialogues. Your passion, creativity, and determination are the catalyst we need to build a sustainable and resilient future."

The EU places significant emphasis on engaging youth in climate action across various platforms. For instance, the European Youth Event (EYE) brings together thousands of young people from across Europe to discuss and shape their ideas on Europe's future, including climate action. Additionally, the EU's Climate Pact encourages young ambassadors to engage their communities and drive grassroots climate initiatives. These efforts reflect the EU's commitment to ensuring that youth are not only participants but leaders in the global response to climate change.

H.E. Jeoung-Ae Han, Forum Co-Chair and Member of the National Assembly, echoed this sentiment, addressing to the students, "I hope that we can develop further our cooperation with the EU in the framework of the Green Partnership. […] If we fail to address the climate crisis properly, it will escalate from a crisis to a disaster, Therefore, regardless of where you will work, please sustain your passion for climate-related issues."

University students participating in the academy expressed their excitement and commitment to contributing to climate action. One student noted, "I am looking forward to learning a lot in this climate academy. As my major is international trade, environmental issues naturally came to the fore as an important challenge and became my vocation. Me and my teammates are eager to bring our voices to the global stage at COP29."

About the EU-Korea Green Partnership Programme

In May 2023, the EU and the Republic of Korea (RoK) established a Green Partnershipaimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and sharing best practices on climate action, clean and just energy transition, environmental protection, and other green transition fields. This partnership was officially launched during the 10^th EU-RoK Summit in Seoul, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to limiting global temperature increase to below 1.5°C and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

In 2024, the EU Delegation to the RoK launched a new EU-funded cooperation programmefor 4 yearsin support of the EU-RoK Green Partnership. Managed by a Seoul-based team of technical experts, this programme facilitates practical cooperation between the EU and the RoK on various aspects of the green transition.

Contacts

Press & Public Information Department
Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea
[email protected]

Jingyu Oh
Team Leader
EU-RoK Green Partnership Programme
[email protected]

Oriane LEMAIRE
Key Outreach Expert
EU-RoK Green Partnership Programme
[email protected]

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