BACO-25, or a joint assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, is being held from July 20-25 at BEXCO (Busan Exhibition and Convention Center) in Busan's Haeundae-gu District. Shown is a scene from the World Climate Industry Expo held from Sept. 4-6, 2024, at BEXCO. (BEXCO)

By Lee Dasom

Busan Metropolitan City on July 21 announced its hosting from July 20-25 of the global weather, oceanic and ice conference BACO-25 at BEXCO (Busan Exhibition and Convention Center) in the city's Haeundae-gu District.

BACO-25 is a joint assembly of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences, International Association of Cryospheric Sciences and International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans.

Hosted by the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), the conference is expected to attract 1,500 domestic and international researchers and industry professionals in climate science from 45 countries. Its goal is to seek scientific solutions to the climate crisis and environmental problems under the theme "Our Interconnected Earth."

This is the first time for Korea to host a joint academic conference under the IUGG.

BACO-25 features programs and side events including keynote speeches by renowned scholars, academic sessions, exhibitions of the meteorological, marine and ice industries, business meetings and field trips.

Other events allow public participation like "Earth Science Day," a science education program for youth and teachers, on July 24. The Earth Film Festival was held on July 20 at Busan Cinema Center.

The opening ceremony began at 5 p.m on July 21 at BEXCO Convention Hall. Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, chair of the Local Organizing Committee of BACO-25 Ha Kyung-Ja, representatives from IUGG and its affiliate societies, and key science and technology figures at home and abroad are expected to attend.

The opening keynote speech will be given by Lee Hoesung, former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the United Nations who is a global authority on response to climate change.

Official poster of BAC0-25 (Busan Metropolitan City)