By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Aigerim Sadykova from Kazakhstan
Photos = Aigerim Sadykova
Astana, May 17

Chung Rae Kwon, the U.N. secretary general's adviser on climate change, visited the Astana Economic Forum (AEF) Summit 2018 held from May 17 to 19 in Astana to announce the possibility of Kazakhstan becoming the leader in terms of a super grid and a green economy in Central Asia.

Chung Raw Kwon speaks on a panel with Global Green Growth Institute Chairperson Ban Ki-moon, Kazakhstani Prime Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev, Kazakhstani Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev and Environmental Organisation Association Presidium Chairperson Aliya Nazarbayeva, in Astana on May 17.

“Kazakhstan can be an exporter of renewable energy, not just oil and gas. Kazakhstan can promote a Central Asian super grid. A green economy is not only to protect the climate. It's a long-term economic strategy to initiate a new industry and job creation. Transformation toward a green economy can’t happen automatically. It has to be pushed by political leadership and public policy. Many people ask whether a green economy is possible. The real question is how we can make it happen. The decision is in our arms. I’m sure we can make it happen if we unite in a common vision and inspiration for a green economy,” he said. He was speaking on the “Green Economy: New Model of Sustainable Development” panel at the AEF on May 17.

Ching also mentioned the success of last year’s Astana Expo that united all ecological organizations in Kazakhstan into a single organization, Kazakhstan’s new International Centre for Green Technologies and Investment Projects (ICGTIP).

He also noted the creation of the ICGTIP in Kazakhstan as being a logical continuation of the 2017 expo. He believes that Astana is becoming a central hub for the transition to a green economy.

According to the website Clean Technica, Korean, Chinese, Russian and Japanese entrepreneurs signed a memorandum of understanding to create an Asia super grid. The project will transmit electricity from renewable sources through a network that connects countries and transfers high volumes of electricity across long distances.



The president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, invited Chung and others to his residence, the Akorda, to discuss the global challenges that were the main theme of the forum.

During the round table, they mentioned global trends in economic development and trade relations, issues of transition to a green economy and the use of alternative energy sources, as well as transport potential of Kazakhstan.

Speaking about the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Chung Rae Kwon expressed his views that the center is a concrete instrument to introduce and develop the Kazakhstani state’s vision of how to make Kazakhstan a leader in terms of the green economy and green energy.

The AIFC, initiated by the president of Kazakhstan, is known as a financial hub for Central Asia, the Caucasus, the EAEU, the Middle East, western China, Mongolia and Europe. It's based on principles of British law and has an independent financial court, according to the Kazakhstani president.

Concerning the framework of the summit, Chung gave a lecture at the Eurasian National University (ENU) about the development of the green economy and an Asian super grid, which is becoming a new world industry and which can create thousands of new jobs, as well as contribute to economic growth.

Chung asked the students to think about the replacement of coal and oil with renewable energy sources.

At the end of his visit, the rector of ENU, Erlan Sydykov, appointed Chung as an honorary professor at Astana’s top university.

Chung Rae Kwon attracted quite a lot of attention from Kazakhstani media, which asked him to reveal his opinions on the green economy, eco-cities and his Korean vision concerning global challenges.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.