TCS

On 27 July 2022, Director YAMAMOTO Masumi from Department of Economic Affairs participated in the Pre-TEMM23 (The 23rd Tripartite Environment Ministers’ Meeting) Working-level Meeting held online. Directors from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Ministry of Environment of the ROK attended the meeting to discuss preparation toward the TEMM23 that will be hosted by China.In his opening remarks, Director YAMAMOTO appreciated the host country for their efforts to prepare for the TEMM23 amidst continuing challenges of the pandemic and noted that TCS is ready to provide support for the ministries. TCS also reported about its upcoming project implemented in close collaboration with the relevant departments of the three parties.During the meeting, the three parties discussed the TEMM23 arrangements, reviewed implementation progress of the Tripartite Joint Action Plan (TJAP) 2021-2025 and reaffirmed their commitment for cooperation under the 8 priority areas including climate change, biodiversity and public awareness. TCS will continue to support these efforts to enhance trilateral cooperation in environmental protection.▲Group photo of the meeting

On July 22, 2022, TCS Secretary-General Amb. OU Boqian met with Mr. PARK Jong-tae, President of the Incheon National University (INU), at the latter’s office. Vice President of External Affairs LEE Hochul, Director of International Office CHOI Juneyoung, Director of Chinese Studies Academy AHN Chiyoung, Dean of Japanese Language and Literature Department NAM Sangwook, and Associate Professor of Northeast Asian Studies School KIM Jiyoung of the University attended the meeting as well.SG OU gave an introduction to the INU delegation about the Trilateral Cooperation and TCS. Underscoring the far-reaching importance of trilateral youth exchanges to the future-oriented relations among the three neighboring countries, she elaborated the youth projects under TCS’ new initiative ‘Trilateral Youth Exchange Network,’ as well as TCS’ efforts to facilitate CJK students exchanges under ‘CAMPUS Asia’. She expected to cooperate with the Incheon National University in various areas regarding youth.President PARK extended a warm welcome to SG OU and the TCS delegation. Appreciating TCS’ role to promote pragmatic Trilateral Cooperation and carry out various youth exchange programs, INU echoed TCS’ view for the necessity of a strengthened trilateral youth cooperation. They proposed cooperation with TCS in specific areas such as symposiums and student internship opportunities.▲TCS Secretary-General Amb. OU Boqian with Incheon National University President PARK Jongtae▲Meeting Room Overview▲Group Photo

On July 21, 2022, TCS Secretary-General Amb. OU Boqian met with H.E. JANG Jehak, Ambassador for International Relations of the Incheon Metropolitan City. They exchanged views on the value of honing an international outlook and discussed future cooperation opportunities. Mr. MYOUNG Chang-joon, Head of Asia Team in Incheon’s International Cooperation Division, and Third Secretaries LEE Da-hye and CHOO Seo-yeon were also present at the meeting. SG OU expressed her sincere appreciation for Incheon’s rapid socioeconomic achievements. Mentioning Incheon’s high reputation in China and Japan for its level of internationalization and openness, she explained that the city had much to gain from the Trilateral Cooperation. SG OU then briefed Amb. JANG on some of TCS initiatives such as the Trilateral Youth Exchange Network (TYEN), Local City Exchange and other projects that are being co-organized between TCS and other Incheon-based international organizations, like UNESCAP and UNDRR-ONEA & GETI. Welcoming SG OU to Incheon, and especially to Songdo, Amb. JANG appreciated SG OU’s acknowledgement of the progress and growth Incheon has shown over the past two decades. Amb. JANG also spoke highly of TCS’ development and successes. He suggested that the future lay in staying connected and building networks and hoped that TCS would be part of Incheon’s continued journey towards development at a global scale. As one such international initiative coming up this September, Amb. JANG mentioned the In-China Forum, co-organized by Incheon and the Chinese Embassy in Korea. He extended an invitation to SG OU and TCS, for which SG OU conveyed her appreciation. Both sides concurred that Incheon and TCS should map out more plans for cooperation to deepen and strengthen their tie.▲Secretary-General OU Boqian and Ambassador JANG Jehak▲Secretary-General OU Boqian met with Ambassador JANG Jehak

On July 21, 2022, TCS Secretary-General Amb. OU Boqian paid a visit to UNDRR Office for Northeast Asia and Global Education and Training Institute (UNDRR ONEA & GETI) in Incheon and met with office head Mr. Sanjaya BHATIA, exchanging views on deepening organizational cooperation to promote disaster risks reduction at regional and international level. Secretary-General OU extended gratitude to UNDRR for supporting the TCS in carrying out various projects, including co-hosting disaster management related symposiums, promoting Trilateral Cooperation best practices on disaster prevention and relief, and giving lectures to TCS projects such as Young Ambassadors Program and the upcoming Trilateral Journalists Exchange Programs. She briefed the outcomes of the just concluded 7th Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management, and reiterated TCS’ commitment to continuing working together with UNDRR in fully implementing Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and therefore contributing its due part to the progress of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Highlighting China, Japan and ROK’s remarkable performances in disaster risks reduction and education against the backdrop of increasing disaster hazards world widely, Mr. BHATIA stressed that the sharing and promotion of the three countries’ advanced technologies and knowledges in a wide range would be vital to achieve the ‘Build Back Better’ goal as prioritized in a series of multilateral initiatives. He thanked TCS for providing a platform in fostering the concerted efforts to address the disaster risks at the region and beyond. Both sides agreed to strengthening future cooperation, including co-organizing All Ways to Disaster Resilience Leaders Forum together with Incheon Metropolitan City in this September, supporting the midterm review of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction to be conducted in 2023, and further facilitate the Trilateral Cooperation mechanism on disaster management.▲Secretary-General OU Boqian and Mr. Sanjaya BHATIA▲Secretary-General OU Boqian Visited UNDRR ONEA & GETI