By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 

The Ministry of Environment, led by Minister Kim Sung-hwan, announced that it has dispatched a “Green Industry Environmental Cooperation Mission” to Accra, the capital of Ghana, from September 2 to 3.

This dispatch is aimed at discussing cooperation measures for urgent environmental issues in Ghana and neighboring countries, and establishing a cooperation network with the local government.

Although Africa has the lowest carbon emissions among all continents, it is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures, decreased rainfall leading to reduced agricultural productivity, and urbanization, which pose serious threats to its socio-economic development.

Accordingly, since the early 2000s, the Ministry of Environment has steadily promoted environmental cooperation with Africa. Currently, it is carrying out projects such as establishing a smart water management system for the Accra water supply in Ghana (2023-2026, grant aid) and installing landfill gas incineration and power generation facilities at the Adipa landfill site (pre-feasibility study underway, 2024-2025).

The environmental cooperation mission to be dispatched this time plans to promote collaboration in green industry fields such as waste management, landfill gas power generation, and carbon reduction and adaptation through: intergovernmental environmental cooperation meetings with Ghanaian government agencies (Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs [MLGCR], Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology [MEST]), the Korea-Africa Environmental Cooperation Forum, and business consultations between domestic climate and waste management companies and government officials from six African countries*.

On the first day (September 2), the Korea-Africa Environmental Cooperation Forum will be held to share and discuss the impacts of climate change in Africa, resilience and adaptation measures, climate-related policies and technologies of each country, and approaches to investment.

On the second day (September 3), the Ministry of Environment, the Ghanaian government, and international organizations will hold a cooperation meeting to discuss mutual support for planned projects in the climate and waste sectors, as well as the development of follow-up projects. In addition, business consultations will be conducted between Korean companies and six African countries, including Ghana.

In particular, Ghana, which has jointly developed and promoted bilateral international carbon reduction projects with Switzerland and issued international reduction credits in July this year, is one of the countries actively advancing climate-related initiatives. It is expected to serve as a strategic hub for Korean companies entering the African market in the field of climate change projects.

Jung Eun-hae, Director General of the International Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, “Through this dispatch to Ghana, we will identify environmental issues across the African continent, including Ghana, and introduce Korea’s cutting-edge environmental technologies and industries to create an opportunity to strengthen cooperation.” She added, “We will serve as a stepping stone for Korean companies seeking to enter the African market.”