1. Director-General for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Scientific Affairs Chung Keeyong held a virtual “Korea-Pakistan director-general-level consultation on climate change and science” with Director General (for United Nations) of the United Nations Division Usman Iqbal Jadoon and Director General (for Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security) of the Arms Control and Disarmament Division Mohammad Kamran Akhtar of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Director General (for Environment and Climate Change) Irfan Tariq of the Ministry of Climate Change of Pakistan at 14:00-16:30, January 28, Seoul time. During the consultation, the two sides exchanged views on climate change and science diplomacy including the implementation of the Paris Agreement, negotiations on climate change, and policies on science diplomacy, and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in these areas.

° The consultation was also joined by Pakistani Ambassador to Korea Mumtaz Zahra Baloch and Korean Ambassador to Pakistan Suh Sang-pyo.

2. In the consultation, the two sides agreed on the significance of green recovery in the course of overcoming COVID-19 and response to climate change.

° In particular, the Korean side shared the Korean government’s strategies for implementing various policies for carbon neutrality including the Green New Deal, and the progress in the preparation for the 2^nd Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, and underscored the importance of the international community’s solidarity.

° The Pakistani side mentioned that Pakistan, particularly as a country vulnerable to climate change, needs a balanced approach to greenhouse gas reductions, adaptation and climate finance, voicing hope to work more closely with Korea in the area of climate.

3. The two sides also took note of the progress in various forms of cooperation underway since the conclusion of the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan regarding Scientific and Technical Cooperation” in 1985, and agreed to reinforce bilateral cooperation in substantive fields, including air environment and health science.

° The two sides agreed to hold the consultation on a regular basis as necessary.

4. The director-general-level consultation, the first one between Korea and Pakistan on climate change held amid the growing significance of climate change across the world, is seen to have served as an opportunity to identify areas for bilateral cooperation on climate and science and to consolidate the two sides’ commitment to addressing climate change.