1. In April, which is called the “science month” in Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held meetings of the policy and climate change/carbon neutrality subcommittees of the “advisory committee on science and technology diplomacy” on April 25 and April 26, respectively, to discuss a policy direction for science and technology diplomacy and to review R&D activities and industry trends in response to climate change in major countries.

* The “advisory committee on science and technology diplomacy” has seven subcommittees (on policy; climate change/carbon neutrality; space; bio; artificial intelligence (AI), big data and information technology (IT); cyber; and nuclear energy).

2. Kim Hyoeun, Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change, chaired the meeting of the climate change/carbon neutrality subcommittee and discussed in depth with relevant policy experts major countries’ policies on climate change and key technologies (secondary cells; fusion; hydrogen generation; and carbon capture, utilization and storage {CCUS}, etc.) to realize carbon-neutrality.

- In addition to running the advisory committee, the Foreign Ministry held other meetings to support Korean companies’ efforts to explore potential overseas partners in the clean energy sector (hydrogen, renewable energy, reuse for waste batteries, etc.).

3. At the subcommittee meeting hosted by Director-General for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Scientific Affairs Yun Hyunsoo, the advisors agreed on the need to establish policies for science and technology diplomacy that serve national interests and correspond to Korea’s status on the international stage. The participants also exchanged opinions on ways to strengthen human resources and infrastructure as well as inter-agency collaboration.

4. Moreover, the second and third lectures of the “academy of science and technology diplomacy” lecture program, which was launched last month, were offered to Foreign Ministry personnel this month to strengthen their capabilities for science and technology diplomacy -- on “space development and space security” and on “developments in next-generation mobile communications and prospects” on April 6 and 20, respectively.

5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue its efforts to expand the horizon of its science and technology diplomacy, importance of which is increasing from the perspective of economic security in the era of technological hegemony.