German Embassy in Korea and KGCCI co-hold Korean-German Conference on Circular Economy
[Caption] (from left to right) Mr. Arne Küper, Counsellor (Economic Affairs), Deputy Head of Economics Department of German Embassy Seoul/Prof. Byoung-In Sang, Hanyang University/Mr. Hong Soo-yeol, Director of the Resource Circulation Society Economic Research Institute/Mr. Michael Reiffenstuel, Ambassador for Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Seoul/Mr. Joonbyeong Yoon, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea/Dr. Martin Henkelmann, President & CEO of KGCCI/Ms. Ji-Hyun Lee, Director of Resource and Recirculation Division, Ansan City/Mr. Deok-Jin Yahng, Director, Machine & Technology Co., Ltd.
(Seoul, November 10, 2021) The Korea-German Chamber of Commerce (KGCCI, President & CEO Martin Henkelmann) and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Seoul held a Korean-German Climate & Environment Conference under the subject of “Circular Economy in Korea and in Germany: Policy, Strategy, Best Practice.”
The conference focused on policies and strategies of the Korean and German governments, fields for cooperation through best practice cases as well as plans of companies and local governments.
The event which was hosted both online and offline and under strict social distancing rules, began with welcome messages by the German Ambassador Michael Reiffenstuel and KGCCI President & CEO Martin Henkelmann. Congratulatory remarks were made by Yoon Joonbyeong and Lee Soyoung, Members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. The keynote speech was given by Alexander Maak, Managing Director Business Center Zero Waste Solution, ALBA Services / INTERSEROH Dienstleistungs GmbH. Panels include Yoo Yong-ho from the Korean Ministry of Environment, Andreas Jaron from the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Hong Soo-yeol from Resource Circulation Society Economic Research Institute, Michael Perl from Sesotec GmbH, Yahng Deok-Jin from Machine & Technology Co., Ltd., and Lee Ji-Hyun from Resource and Recirculation Division of Ansan City. The conference was led by moderator Sang Byoung-In from Hanyang University.
“Today, circular economy is recognized throughout the world as an instrument for the sustainable management of ever scarcer resources,” said German Ambassador Michael Reiffenstuel. “Managing waste is not just about waste disposal. Waste is a valuable resource which can be used effectively to conserve natural resources, protect our environment and our climate. Korea and Germany are both strongly committed to climate protection. We are friends and partners which can learn a lot from one another. This Conference provides a valuable opportunity for both countries to share their experiences and discuss strategies on circular economy.”
KGCCI President & CEO Martin Henkelmann pointed out, “Korea and Germany face similar challenges and have many opportunities for cooperation in the field of recycling and reusing valuable resources while reducing their consumption. As highly developed countries with state-of-the-art waste collection and processing possibilities, they are already on a steady path to strengthening the circular economy. Perfecting these systems through joint investment as well as through bilateral research and development is pivotal to overcome the challenges.”
Yoo Yong-ho, Deputy Director of Resources Circulation Policy Division from the Korean Ministry of Environment commented “The circular economy is a society in which economic growth and decoupling of resource consumption are realized. Furthermore, it not only responds to climate change but also ensures sustainable economic growth as well as quality of life through improvement of resource efficiency.”
Lastly, Director Lee Ji-Hyun from Resource and Recirculation Division of Ansan City shared Ansan City’s best practice case by mentioning, “As part of the City’s resource circulation policy, we have operated hope center ‘Revival of all things! The liveable blacksmith's workshop’ since December last year. It is a repair center that offers replace and repair of small electronics, bicycles, and toys, provides rental service of tools, etc. It has seen impressive results, reaching approximately 200 inquiries each month.”