France and Korea will discuss reducing carbon emissions at a forum on Tuesday and Wednesday.

European, French and Korean decision makers from both the public and private sector will share their views and expertise on carbon emission reduction strategies that have been implemented over the past few years.

The French framework of the “Grenelle of Environment” will be discussed alongside Korea’s “National Green Growth Strategy,” with key players in both approaches sharing their views on the results and objectives.

Chairman of Korea’s Presidential Committee on Green Growth Young Soo-Gil, and French Ambassador Elisabeth Laurin will deliver speeches.

“Just before the Rio Plus 20 conference, the forum will be an opportunity for in-depth exchanges between Korean and French public and private decision-makers. I look forward to this meeting to be held with representatives of ministries and local authorities, as well as representatives of civil society, academics, researchers and companies,” said Laurin.

“I am convinced that our two countries have much to share and learn from each other in this area.”

Also commenting ahead of the event, Young said: “This French-Korean Forum on Carbon Reduction will allow our two countries to share their respective climate change policies, technologies and experiences with each other.

“This is a very timely and significant event. I hope that through this forum our two countries will go beyond the conventional cooperative relationship and open a new chapter in this relationship by letting us find ways of working together to spearhead the international efforts to mitigate the global climate.”

Workshops will also be held on urban planning and green building, green transport, energy efficiency management, and ways to shift to a green economy from the examples of carbon markets and green financing.

The event will take place in Seoul, at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel and COEX, alongside the ENVEX environment exhibition.

The 34th International Exhibition on Environmental Technology and Green Energy is running in Seoul from June 11-14.

The French Embassy has organized the forum along with the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the French Trade Foreign Advisors Association in Korea. It is supported by the French Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Industry, as well as the EU Delegation to Korea.

Korea’s Presidential Committee on Green Growth, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Knowledge Economy and Ministry of Land and Transportation are also supporting the event.

The Forum will host 26 Korean and 23 European experts, from the scientific, public and business fields. It aims to pave the way for future cooperation between Korea and France on reducing and mitigating the impact of climate change in advanced industrial economies, as well as in developing countries.

For more details go to www.frkr-low-carbon.net.

By Kirsty Taylor (kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)