- From April 20, three major climate and energy events—“Green Transformation (GX) Week,” “UNFCCC Climate Week,” and “2026 Climate Change Week”—to be held together over six days

- A total of 67 sessions to be held, covering key topics of green transformation, including industry, climate tech, and finance—as well as major agenda items for UNFCCC climate negotiations

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE, Minister Kim

Sungwhan) will host “Green Transformation (GX) Week” from April 20 to 25 at the Yeosu World Expo site in Jeollanam-do.*

* Only the “Carbon Point Program New Participating Companies MOU (April 22)” and the “Carbon Emissions Trading Market Advancement Roundtable and MOU Ceremony

(April 24)” will be held in Seoul.

Green Transformation (GX) Week is a large-scale international climate and

energy event held in conjunction with the third United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Climate Week, being hosted in Korea for the first time, and 2026 Climate Change Week. During this period, a wide range of discussions and interactive programs will take place, including the opening ceremony featuring a high-level policy dialogue on energy transition, a strategic dialogue on energy in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), and forums on the green taxonomy and transition finance, along with various experiential events and exhibitions.

The official theme of this event is “Green Transformation: A Path to Prosperity for All.” Green transformation refers to the process of innovating the overall industrial and economic structure to simultaneously achieve carbon neutrality and sustainable economic growth. It reflects a commitment to creating new opportunities for growth for all through green transformation amid the climate crisis and energy security challenges.

Approximately 800 participants are expected to attend the opening ceremony on the first day of the event, April 20, including Minister Kim Sungwhan, ministers and vice ministers from climate and energy authorities of other countries, senior officials from international organizations and diplomatic missions in Korea, as well as representatives from academia, industry, and civil society.

In the first session of the opening ceremony, Minister Kim will share Korea’s policy direction for energy transition with the international community. This will be followed by presentations from Matsuo Takehiro, Vice Minister of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Korea, among others, who will introduce the policies of their respective countries and regions.

Next, representatives from various sectors, including children, youth, international organizations, government, and industry, will take the stage to lead a collective declaration of action by all participants, pledging their commitment to the green transformation.

In the second session of the opening ceremony, high-level officials will engage in discussions on barriers to energy transition and practical measures for international cooperation. Participants will include Kim Sang-Hyup, Executive Director of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI); Noura Hamladji, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC; Anne Kari Hansen Ovind, Ambassador of Norway to Korea; Frans Álvaro Quispe Olivera, Vice Minister of Development Planning and Environment of Bolivia; and Truong Viet Hung, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam.

In addition, a wide range of discussions and events will take place throughout the GX week. The “Energy Strategy Dialogue in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” will bring together various domestic and international companies and organizations, including Naver, GE Vernova, Schneider Electric, and the Climate Group, to share strategies for addressing the growing energy demand driven by the expansion of AI.

In addition, various forums will be held, including a discussion on the electrification of transport for carbon neutrality, a forum on activating carbon neutrality at the local government level, a climate tech innovation forum, and a forum on the green taxonomy and transition finance. These events will bring together experts from across sectors, along with government and industry, to create diverse platforms for collaboration in key areas of green transformation such as industrial decarbonization, fostering emerging climate tech industries, and financial support.

* A total of 67 sessions are planned, including 25 thematic events, 11 citizen participation events, and 31 UNFCCC sessions.

Through this, the government aims to expand discussions on green transformation both domestically and internationally, build early policy consensus on the “Korea Green Transformation (K-GX) Strategy” set to be announced in June, and further strengthen Korea’s leading role in the climate and energy sectors.

The UNFCCC Climate Week, held concurrently at the same venue, is a large-scale international climate conference where around 1,000 participants, including governments, international organizations, and civil society, gather to discuss responses to the climate crisis ahead of the Conference of the Parties (COP), which takes place every November.

This year, following intense competition with several countries in the Asia region, Korea was ultimately selected as the host. All 198 Parties to the Convention will participate to proactively review key issues for the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, including mitigation, adaptation, finance, and implementation.

In addition, 2026 Climate Change Week, commemorating Earth Day (April 22), will also be held.

A variety of events will be held, including a meteorological science museum exploration with future generations, a forum diagnosing Korea’s climate crisis, and an MOU ceremony for new participating companies in the Carbon Neutrality Point Program. In addition, a carbon neutrality promotion pavilion featuring 16 participating institutions, companies, and organizations will be operated at the Expo Digital Gallery.

In addition, a nationwide lights-off event will be held simultaneously for 10 minutes from 8:00 p.m. on April 22. In particular, this year a campaign song on climate action and a special video highlighting wisdom from national heritage in responding to the climate crisis will be produced to promote the importance of practicing carbon neutrality in everyday life.

Detailed information on GX Week is available on the official website (http://www.gxweek.kr)), and information on the third UNFCCC Climate Week can be found on its official website (unfccc.int/climate-week-yeosu).

Minister Kim Sungwhan stated, “Strengthening international cooperation and jointly seeking solutions is not an option but a necessity in order to overcome the climate and energy crisis.” He added, “We hope that this GX Week will serve as an opportunity to accelerate the global green transformation and solidify cooperation for sustainable growth for all.”