Kim Sang-hyup to lead GGGI as director general
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on the dangers of climate change, calling on diplomats and country representatives to take global action to tackle the crisis.
"The climate crisis does not take a break or call a timeout," Ban said, urging nonstop commitment to environmental sustainability.
He said that armed conflicts, natural disasters and pandemics do not halt the effects of climate change.
"Crop failures due to droughts and floods, or rising sea levels threatening small island nations, will persist regardless of other global crises," said Ban who chairs the Global Green Growth Institute.
Ban was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the institute's new director-general, Kim Sang-hyup, on Monday.
Kim Sang-hyup, 61, is a KAIST Graduate School of Green Growth professor and former co-chair of Korea’s Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth. He previously served as senior presidential secretary for green growth under former President Lee Myung-bak and as president of the Jeju Research Institute.
Kim commenced his four-year term with GGGI on Jan. 1, 2025, and will oversee the institute’s secretariat, managing over 270 projects across 50 countries.
Ban expressed his eagerness to collaborate on global green growth and aid efforts, highlighting the GGGI as one of South Korea’s two international organizations alongside the International Vaccine Institute.
He also praised Kim’s commitment to green policies and affirmed his leadership in advancing GGGI’s mission.
"I strongly believe Director-General Kim will provide GGGI with the right direction and innovative solutions to climate change issues," said korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok in a prerecorded speech on video.
Choi also reaffirmed the Korean government’s commitment to global green initiatives.
South Korea aims to cut emissions by 40 percent from 2018 levels by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, in his speech at the event, also highlighted urgent climate action needs, pointing to extreme weather, rising seas and environmental degradation as increasingly evident.
“With only five years left until 2030 and only 17 percent of the SDGs' targets currently on track, we must urgently intensify our collective efforts," Cho said.
The SDGs refer to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, global targets adopted by the UN in 2015, including ending poverty, taking climate action, achieving gender equality and promoting peace, justice and strong institutions, by 2030.
"We must respond with innovation and economic transformation," Cho said.
"As the host of both GGGI and the Green Climate Fund, we have committed over $600 million to these organizations, along with significant contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund and the Global Adaptation Fund," he said.
He also mentioned Korea’s recent ASEAN-Korea partnership initiative with the GGGI to achieve tangible climate mitigation results.
Meanwhile, Norway’s ambassador to Korea, Anne Kari Hansen Ovind, reaffirmed her country’s strong partnership with the GGGI, particularly in advancing carbon markets and climate cooperation.
"As Vice-President of the Assembly and Vice-Chair of the Council, Norway stands ready to provide the necessary support to ensure GGGI’s success," she stated.
The new director-general vowed to embrace innovation, build unconventional partnerships, and strengthen global collaboration with its 49 member states and 29 partner countries for sustainability.
"My aspiration is not for GGGI to be the largest but to be the most trusted international organization for our member states and partners," Kim said, underlining the GGGI’s commitment to leveraging AI-driven services and hydrogen ecosystem development.
The event was attended by over 140 dignitaries, including representatives from the GGGI’s member states, partner nations, diplomatic corps, intergovernmental organizations, private sector and the media.
sanjaykumar@heraldcorp.com
