The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) and the United Nations Environment Programme (Executive Director Inger Andersen) announced that Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has been selected* as the host venue for World Environment Day 2025, at 4 p.m. on October 28 (Korea Standard Time).

* Hosting in South Korea for the first time in 28 years since Seoul (Olympic Gymnastics Arena) in 1997.

World Environment Day is one of the largest environmental events in the world, jointly organized by the UN Environment Programme and the host country on June 5 every year since 1973, to pledge the international community’s interest and efforts in environmental conservation.

The World Environment Day event in 2025 is expected to be an opportunity to raise global awareness about the importance of ending plastic pollution, in connection with the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) of the UN Plastics Treaty, which will be held in Busan, South Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2024.

Jeju Island, blessed with a pristine natural environment, was selected as the host site as it best embodies the spirit of World Environment Day, having declared the ‘2040 Plastic Zero Island’ vision in 2022 and pioneering efforts to end plastic pollution by introducing a deposit system for disposable cups for the first time nationwide.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, stated, “Jeju’s efforts towards a future without plastic pollution align with the goals of World Environment Day 2025,” She added that “Jeju’s pristine natural scenery and innovative environmental policies will inspire action for environmental protection.”

Minister of Environment Kim Wansup stated, “The World Environment Day event in 2025 will be a milestone for global efforts to end plastic pollution,” and added, “Together with Jeju Island, we will successfully host the event and establish ourselves as a leading country in ending plastic pollution.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com