Thousands of environmental activists, policymakers and representatives of the business world are gathering on the southern resort island of Jeju for a meeting on nature conservation. 

The 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress will open Thursday at Jeju International Convention Center. Under the theme “Resilient Nature,” participants will hold discussions on 176 initiatives that range from climate change, protection of endangered species and a green economy. Over 8,600 people have registered for the conference, the largest in history, said the organizer, the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

“It will also be a good chance for Korea to introduce to the world the country’s efforts and accomplishments toward green growth,” the Korean Organizing Committee said.

Taking place every four years, this year’s congress is to be the largest and one of the most important events in the global environmental community. It is the first time in its more than 60-year history that the congress is being held in Northeast Asia.

Kim Chong-chun, the Korean committee’s secretary-general, said the Jeju conference will be a model in terms of its own environmental-friendliness, with the least possible use of paper and a maximum deployment of green technologies.

President Lee Myung-bak will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony, which will be attended by thousands of leaders representing governments, NGOs and the business community.

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