World Conservation Congress to seek nature-based solutions to modern problems


Thousands of conservationists, policymakers and representatives of the business world will gather on Jeju Island in September for a crucial meeting that may shape much future environmental action. 

The 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress will be held at Jeju International Convention Center Sept. 6-15, coming to Northeast Asia for the first time in its greater than 60-year history.

Taking place every four years, the congress claims to be the largest and most important event in the global environmental community. It is also notable for bringing together key people from all sectors ― governments, non-governmental organizations, science, business and small local organizations.

It consists of two major sections: One is a large forum ― a market place of ideas, where participants from all sectors of society exchange ideas, experiences and discuss what needs to be done. The second part is a global environmental parliament where governments and NGOs debate and vote on major issues.

Befitting the superlative nature of the event, its 10-day schedule is packed with numerous discussions, workshops, seminars, roundtables and receptions on a wide range of issues ― some of political importance and others of technical value.

A theme that runs throughout the conference is “Resilient Nature,” which suggests that nature may have remedies for the challenges that mankind faces today, such as climate change, poverty and development.

“The congress’ slogan, Nature+, captures the fundamental importance of nature and its inherent link to every aspect of our lives,” the IUCN explains.

Better use of the inherent robustness of nature leads to healthier natural systems, better results from ecosystem and biodiversity restoration, and healthier people, communities and economies, it says.

For Korea, the Jeju congress is a much coveted opportunity to promote its efforts to make Asia’s fourth-largest economy greener. To make the event a success, the country even enacted a special law to support preparations.

The upcoming congress looks set to be the biggest in IUCN history with several thousand participants, officials at the Korean Organizing Committee said. The previous congress in Barcelona four years ago drew more than 6,000 people.

The Jeju congress will not be just big in attendance. It will showcase a new level of connectivity, accessibility and sustainability, while reaching out to a wider audience through various special programs, the Korean organizers said.

“We will have the least possible use of paper and a maximum deployment of green technologies,” said Kim Chong-chun, the committee’s secretary general.

One of the special programs is the World Leaders’ Dialogue, in which influential figures will deliver public lectures and lead discussions on five subjects ― climate change, poverty, green growth, nature and food security and nature conservation.

Big names confirmed to take part in the session include: Richard Branson, the British business magnate who founded Virgin Group; Marvin Odum, president of Shell Oil Co., a U.S.-based subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell; Bharrat Jagdeo, former president of Guyana; Michael Mack, CEO of Swiss agribusiness giant Syngenta; Jochen Zeitz, chairman and CEO of Puma and chief sustainability officer for luxury brands such as Gucci and Stella McCartney; and Peter Bakker, president of World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

From Korea, KT chairman Lee Suk-chae, Environment Minister Yoo Young-sook, former Agriculture Minister Jang Tae-pyoung and Yang Soo-gil, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Green Growth will join the global leaders.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)