President Yoon Meets with IEA Executive Director Birol… Case of Supporting ‘Zero Carbon Energy’

“`html

[President Yoon Seok-yeol awards the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit – Gwanghwa Medal to Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), and shakes hands after a meeting at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul on the 2nd. (Provided by the Presidential Office=Yonhap News)]

‘President Yoon met with Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), at the Presidential Office in Yongsan today (2nd), as announced by the Presidential Office.’

“Last September at the UN General Assembly, President Yoon proposed the ‘Clean Future Energy (CFE) Initiative’ as a practical alternative to accelerate the achievement of carbon neutrality and expressed gratitude for IEA’s support.”

“President Yoon praised IEA for emphasizing the role of clean energy under the leadership of Birol in addressing complex risks such as abnormal temperature phenomena, geopolitical risks, and energy security around the world.”

He further stated, “Korea has successfully harmonized advanced manufacturing competitiveness and environment by utilizing clean energy technologies. As this experience of Korea can be a good guideline for developing countries starting manufacturing industries, let’s create many model cases together with IEA in the future.”

Awarding of the Medal to Birol, IEA Executive Director

[President Yoon Seok-yeol meets with Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul on the 2nd. (Provided by the Presidential Office=Yonhap News)]

“President Yoon also welcomed the joint hosting of this year’s ‘Climate Industry International Fair’ by the Korean government and IEA, a leading international organization in the energy sector.”

Birol stated, “Korea’s CFE Initiative shows exemplary leadership in enhancing energy security and achieving climate targets. This aligns well with IEA’s approach to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable energy for all.”

He added, “The benefits of nuclear power in addressing the climate crisis and ensuring energy security are increasingly recognized among countries such as Korea, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Poland, the United States, and the United Kingdom. I would like to highly evaluate Korea’s achievements in constructing reactors within the set time and budget, and leading innovative technologies like SMRs.”

President Yoon awarded the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit – Gwanghwa Medal in recognition of Birol’s contributions to promoting non-carbon energy and enhancing cooperation between Korea and IEA.

The Gwanghwa Medal corresponds to the 1st grade of the 5th-grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to national prestige and friendly relations with allies.

The Climate Industry International Fair, co-hosted by the government and IEA, will be held in Busan from the 4th to the 6th of the month.

“`