On the first day of ‘Water and Green Growth’ forum at Jamsil Lotte Hotel, Soo Gil Yang, the Chairman of Presidential Committee on Green Growth said in his keynote address, “Through the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, it is expected to resolve water shortage phenomena, to act in response against climate changes such as drought and flood, to decrease cost of damage restoration, and to create green employment.” “The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is not a simple way to preserve ecosystem but an effective alternation to cope with the on-going climate change,” he added.
Anthony Cox, the Environment Directorate OECD participated in ‘Water and Green Growth’ session declared, “Water resources are a fundamental issue in the green growth of OECD as well. The appropriate management of water resources helps economic growth and development.” Professor Philippe Gourbesville from University of Nice- Sophia Antipolis participated in the session called ‘Water Resources and River Basin Management’ said, “The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project include the major rivers that run across the country such as the Han River, the Geum River, the Nakdong River, and the Yeongsan River and is in a comprehensive size supplementing the social, environmental, and economical needs. Considering the size and difficulty level of the project, it could be a solution to the global issues suggested by Korea.”
The academic forum on the first day was followed by the field trip on the second day. Approximately 90 participants at home and abroad visited the Ipo Weir and Gangcheon Weir sites and witnessed outcome of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project with their own eyes. They enjoyed the riverside wind cycling on the bike path near the Ipo Weir in Dangnam District. They paid much attention with interest in the results and effects of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project as watching the promotional video at the information center of Gangcheon Weir.
The significance of this event was to share experience in the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project with many different countries and to suggest a new paradigm in water resources management. In addition, the positive image of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project will be expanded to worldwide and it will further become the sturdy foundation to export water related technologies.
