Seoul, Republic of Korea, June 19, 2025 – The Global Green Growth Institute’s (GGGI) Director-General, Mr. Sang-Hyup Kim, concluded a mission to Europe, visiting Geneva, Brussels, and Copenhagen to advance strategic partnerships and accelerate green growth collaboration with key stakeholders. 

During the mission, Director-General Kim participated in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Commission on People-Centered Clean Energy Transitions: Designing for Fairness as a Member of the Commission, where he engaged in discussions with Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol and Commission Members, including Dr. Fareed Yasseen, former Climate Envoy of the Republic of Iraq. The Director-General also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to scale up joint efforts on climate action, nature conservation, and pollution mitigation. 

In Geneva, Director-General Kim met with Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to explore collaboration on AI-powered carbon MRV systems, digital solutions for NDC implementation, and Green Digital Action, particularly in the build-up for COP30. He also had a meeting with Ms. Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard, where they agreed on the urgency of ensuring high-integrity carbon markets and discussed potential areas of cooperation, including digital certification and Article 6 pilots. 

In Brussels, Director-General Kim met with Mr. Piet Demunter, CEO of Flanders Investment & Trade, to explore opportunities to establish Green Shipping Corridors that could reduce emissions in transcontinental trade and support sustainable value chains. At the European Commission, he met with Ms. Marjeta Jager, Deputy Director-General of DG INTPA, to review the rapidly expanding EU–GGGI portfolio, with a focus on green bonds, energy efficiency, and green entrepreneurship. Both sides agreed to collaboration on accelerating inclusive green transitions in partner countries. Director-General Kim also met with Mr. Jean Van Wetter, CEO of Enabel, Belgium’s development agency with a strong in-country presence in Africa. They reaffirmed their commitment to scaling climate and development solutions and agreed to continue dialogue on joint opportunities. 

In Copenhagen, Director-General Kim had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark and former Chair of GGGI. The Director-General expressed appreciation for Denmark’s long-standing support for green growth, noting Minister Rasmussen’s instrumental role in the establishment of the Korea–Denmark Green Growth Alliance and the launch of the P4G Summit. The meeting highlighted the deep alignment between Denmark and GGGI in promoting green growth and fostering multilateral cooperation. 

Looking ahead, GGGI will build on these strengthened relationships to expand cooperation in sustainable AI, carbon markets, project implementation, and regional climate action, delivering on its mission to support low-carbon, resilient, and inclusive growth for its Member States and Partners. 

(GGGI Seoul HQ)

Romain Brillie

Director, Department of Strategy and Communications
+82 10 9530 0170 | brillie.romain@gggi.org

Na Yoon Kang

Senior Assistant, Communications & Knowledge Sharing Unit
+82 10 9530 0338 | nayoon.kang@gggi.org