Under the theme of River Restoration for Green Growth, 800 of the experts from 20 different countries participated in this international conference, and the guests and speakers included; Hwang Sik Kim, the Prime Minister, Young Sook Yoo, the Minister of the Environment, Soo Gil Yang, the Chairman of Presidential Committee on Green Growth, members of OECD, UNESCAP, MWH (England), NIES (Japan), faculties of Technical University of Hamburg (Germany), James Cook University (Australia), various international organizations, specialists from universities, international professionals, domestic officials, and principle researchers.
The Prime Minister, Hwang Sik Kim announced the successful outcome of the project and said, “The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is a pangovernmental core business that will enforce national competitiveness by securing abundant water resources and by preventing floods.” Young Sook Yoo, the Minister of the Environment emphasized the eco-friendly aspect of the project in her welcome address, “The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project has been carried out as preserving the riparian ecosystem despite of all the worries and concerns from the environmental groups and some citizens.” And she added, “In the reality of annual precipitation rate per person being merely one-eighth of the world average, I believe that the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is a good solution to prepare ourselves against water shortages.” Myung Pil Shim, the Minister of the Office of National River Restoration stated that the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is nearly coming to the finish. He continued, “People who were against the project have almost changed his or her opinion after their visits to the site and now support the idea of this project.
It could have been better if the benefits and objectives of the project were thoroughly announced to the citizens in the beginning.”
The Conference was programmed to have a field trip to Ipo Weir and Gangcheon Weir of the Han River on 8th followed by an academic forum on 7th. Consisting of five regular sessions and two special sessions, the forum has created the place for a good discussion of green growth and proceeding strategies. During the session of ‘Revitalization of Waterfront Tourism and Culture and Regional Development,’ discussions on the riverside tourism and the local growth were carried out very actively. In the session of ‘Water Related Policies and Industry’ session, water industry status and prospects were introduced at home and abroad with examples of Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia.
At the exhibition booths of Lotte Hotel where the conference was held, the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project Exhibition and related photo exhibition were organized displaying the purpose and the progress of project at a glance.
