What is ICLEI, for which Suwon Mayor Yum Tae-young took office as first chairman of the Korea Executive Committee?

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Interest in ICLEI is growing as Suwon Mayor Yum Tae-young was elected as the inaugural chairman of the 'ICLEI Korea Executive Committee' at its inaugural ceremony on the 23rd of last month.

ICLEI (ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability), with the vision of 'realizing sustainable development through creating sustainable cities,' is a global alliance of local governments for sustainable development. Following the 'Global Summit of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future' held at the UN headquarters in August 1990, ICLEI officially launched in September of the same year.

It is the world's largest 'global local government network' that cooperates internationally to overcome environmental crises and works toward a sustainable future, with over 1,750 local governments from approximately 120 countries (9 regions) as members. In South Korea, 48 local governments are members.

The world headquarters is located in Bonn, Germany, with 8 regional offices and 14 offices in 12 countries. The East Asia headquarters is in Seoul, and the Korea office is in Suwon.

ICLEI's main activities involve collaborating and promoting policies and projects to create ▲low-carbon cities ▲nature-based cities ▲resilient cities ▲circular economy cities ▲people-centered fair cities as specified in the 'ICLEI Strategy Plan.'

It also represents the position of local governments in ▲UN sustainable development policy-making processes ▲designs and develops sustainable development policy tools and models, and ▲conducts joint action among global local governments in response to climate crisis, promoting global projects among local governments.

The relationship between Korea and ICLEI began in 1995 when the Korea Association of International Cooperation of Local Governments (dissolved in 2009) became a member. In 2002, the Korea Association of International Cooperation of Local Governments attracted the Korea office, and the ICLEI Korea office was established.

Suwon City agreed with the World Executive Committee in July 2012 to attract the ICLEI Korea office to Suwon. In October that year, the office opened on Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon. The Korea office is currently located in Deorham Park (126 Suin-ro, Gwonseon-gu). It is operated in cooperation with the Suwon Research Institute.

Mayor Yum Tae-young has served as an ICLEI World Executive Board Member since 2010, and as Korea Representative and East Asia Executive Committee Member since 2012.

The ICLEI World Executive Committee consists of a chair, vice chairs, and regional and functional representatives. It represents ICLEI member local governments worldwide and has the authority to determine policy directions for ICLEI operations and projects.

Mayor Yum Tae-young stated, "Now is the time to respond to the era's demand for 'transition to a sustainable society based on carbon neutrality,' shaking off 'development and growth-oriented values' that threaten human survival. The ICLEI Korea Executive Committee will take the lead to root sustainable development and enable Korean local governments to join in joint action with local governments around the world."