By Sohn JiAe

President Moon Jae-in delivered the keynote speech at the U.N. Leaders’ Dialogue on Climate Change, at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 19.

President Moon started by saying that, “The Korean government puts first policies that address climate change in accordance with the Paris Climate Change Accord. This new administration was launched with the spirit of the people who took to the streets in a candlelit vigil. All policies that the government pursues are centered on the people. We find our strength to address problems we face in unity and cooperation among the people."

"This people-centered approach applies to transnational issues, too, like climate change," the president stressed. “That’s why the Korean government tries to work more aggressively with the international community to respond to climate change, with the goal of achieving a life worth living with human dignity and sustainability for all human beings.”

“Our new government is pursuing an energy system that is clean and safe. To this end, we will gradually reduce our dependence on coal and nuclear power and will reach our target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a framework set by the U.N.,” the president said.

He announced that the Korean government is working on an energy super grid across Northeast Asia, taking advantage of clean energy resources in Mongolia and Siberia. “Forming an energy community among Northeast Asian countries with the use of eco-friendly energy resources will lead to the foundation of an economic community across the region and to the enhancement of multilateral security cooperation,” he said.

In addition, the president vowed to spare no effort in helping developing countries by means of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Green Climate Fund, calling on U.N. leaders to show more support for the activities of the two international organizations.

jiae5853@korea.kr