Conference
International Conference on Environment and Energy in Artyom

In his opening address the mayor of Artyom city, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Avdeev, stressed the importance Artyom puts on the healthy development of the city and its environment. While Artyom and the Russian federal district "Far East" are favored with vast forest areas only sparsely populated, old industrial areas including maritime industrial areas like ports and wharfs are often sources of pollution.

Dr. Bernhard Seliger of Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in Korea stressed the importance of international cooperation for tackling urgent issues like climate change and pollution. Dr. Shin Yong-Seok of the Institute for Peace Affairs said he hoped the seminar could be new bridges in a sometimes tense situation of Northeast Asian international relations.

Scientists and participants from various Asian countries, among them from the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Russia, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, discussed issues of international environmental cooperation, e.g. in the matter of fine dust, investment opportunities for green growth, like in Kangryong Green Special Economic Zone in DPRK, cooperation on maritime pollution etc. Also, the role of climate policies after the Paris agreement was considered.

The vice mayor of Artyom, hosted the seminar participants for a traditional Russian dinner. He agreed with HSF Korea to cooperate in the future.