GreeN Growth - Asia-Pacific Business and Technology Report

coverstorycoverstoryGreen Growth:Emerging ParadigmShift in Developmentand Economic GrowthGlobal Green Growth Institute Leads the WayNotable figures attending from abroadincluded Lykke Friis, the Danish Ministerfor Climate and Energy; UNESCAP ExecutiveSecretary Noeleen Heyzer; and AngelGurria, the Secretary-General of the OECD.Korean President Lee Myung-bak also spokein the opening ceremony, and in attendanceby recorded video was Ban Ki-moon,Secretary-General of the United Nations.The date itself was also quite significant,as this year is the 50th anniversary of theOECD, the 15th anniversary of Korea joiningit, and the one year anniversary of theGlobal Green Growth Institute, launched inKorea.The point of the summit was to try topush a more responsible civilization whichwould change policies and influence publicand private sectors to use more sustainabletechnologies in order to try to avoid theproblems that the industrial revolution hascaused the planet. President Lee said at theopening ceremony, “We can make changesif we concentrate all our efforts on harmonybetween man and the earth. The key to agreen economy with low carbon emissionsis technology.” The President’s office saidthat he hoped the forum would become thepremier forum in which to discuss globalgreen growth issues.The two days of the summit had differentfocuses. The first day was designed toreinforce cooperation between countries inthe development of green growth, and forsharing development strategies. The secondday focused on new partnerships andleadership in green growth. Because it wasalso an OECD meeting, some of the topicsdiscussed on the second day veered awayfrom green technology and into discussionsabout Korea’s economy.Notable statements during the summitThe point of the summit was to try topush a more responsible civilizationwhich would change policies and influencepublic and private sectors to usemore sustainable technologies in order totry to avoid the problems that the industrialrevolution has caused the planet.Han Seung-soo | Global Green Growth Institute ChairmanBy Matthew WeigandIf you were in the vicinity of the Lotte Hotel in downtownSeoul on June 20 to 21 of this year, you mighthave noticed an increased security presence and an unusuallylarge number of nondescript black cars. Thatwas due to the Global Green Growth Summit, in which91 foreign dignitaries from 25 different countries gatheredto discuss the issues of climate change and thetechnological response to these unfortunate realities.Qa &Korea Taking theLead in PushingGreen GrowthThe Asia-Pacific Business and TechnologyReport interviewed Dr. Han Seungsoo,former Prime Minister of Korea, inhis new position as the Chairman of theGlobal Green Growth Institute, whichis an organization dedicated to promotinggreen growth around the world. Wespoke with him about green growth,governmental support, and the future ofa post-Industrial Revolution globe.8 | A-P BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY REPORT A-P BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY REPORT | 9