NOWPAP was invited to the 2022 International Organization Advisory Group meeting, which was organized by the Busan Metropolitan Government and the Busan Foundation for International Cooperation on 1 November 2022 in the Westin Chosun Hotel in Busan. Representatives of thirteen international organizations in the Republic of Korea attended the meeting.
Mr. Shin Jae-hyun, Ambassador of International Relations to Busan, welcomed the participants of the meeting and expressed warm wishes to enhance cooperation with all international organizations in the Republic of Korea to publicize Busan and promote the role of the Busan Metropolitan City in international cooperation.
The representatives of the international organizations introduced the overview of their organizations respectively and shared their thoughts on possible cooperation with the Busan Metropolitan City in the future. The NOWPAP representative introduced the history, structure, and ongoing activities of NOWPAP. He highlighted that NOWPAP had supported the organization of the 7th International Marine Debris Conference, which was held in Busan on 18-23 September 2022. Since the Korean Government endeavors to turn Busan into a marine capital in the region, as an office of the United Nations Environment Programme, NOWPAP wishes to explore more opportunities for cooperation with the Busan Metropolitan Government to organize more international events in Busan. NOWPAP can also cooperate with students in Busan to organize beach cleanup campaigns and awareness-raising events on various aspects of environmental protection.
An appointment ceremony was organized at the meeting. Dr Ning Liu, NOWPAP Programme Officer, was invited by Mr. Park Heong-joon, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, to be a member of the “Busan International Organizations Advisory Committee.”
After the ceremony, the participants were invited to meet Mr. Ban Kimoon, former UN Secretary-General, and attended the World Peace Forum in the same venue. Mr. Park Heng-joon, Mayor of Busan, and Mr. Park Jin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Korea delivered opening remarks, Mr. Ban Kimoon gave a keynote speech on world peace and sustainable development.
