Distinguished  representatives  of  local  governments  from  Korea  and  around  the  world,  Environmental experts, and honored guests, I'm delighted to see you all here today.
I'm Oh Young-Hun, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.
It  is  my  great  pleasure  to  welcome  you  all  to  the  13th  Local  Governments  Forum,  held  here  on  Jeju Island-the Island of Nat니re and Environment.
First, I would like to express  my  sincere gratitude to her Excellency  Ambassador Emmy  Jerono KIPSOI of Kenya for her video message, Mr. Sameer Akbar, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, Yoon Jong-Soo, former Vice Minister of Environment, and all the international environmental experts  for your contributions today.
The theme of this years forum is 41 Local Solutions for a Sustainable Transition Amid the Plastic Crisisw.
Unchecked   plastic   production   and   consumption   threaten   human   health,   destroy   ecosystems,   and endanger our shared future.
In the face of this crisis, the role of local governments has become more important than ever.
Local  governments  are  uniquely  positioned  to  design  and  implement  policies  that  directly  affect  people's lives, tailored to the specific needs of each community.
The  Jeju  Provincial  Government  is  working  toward  a  bold  goal：  “2040  Plastic-Free  Jeju”,  and  is  taking practical steps toward building a sustainable local society.
We  are  reducing  single-use  plastics,  increasing  recycling  rates,  and  developing  a  sustainable  circular resource system.
Jeju’s resource circulation system is already drawing global attention.
The Jeju Environmental Resource Circulation Center welcomes  over 3,500 visitors  annually  as  a hub for environmental education. It has  been recognized by  the World Bank  and UN Environment Programme as a world-class facility.
Next year, Jeju’s waste treatment technology will be exported to Bontang, Indonesia.
This  marks  Jeju’s  first  Official  Development  Assistance  (ODA)  project.  Our  Clean  House  system  and biogas technology will be transferred to Indonesia.
(KRW 12.8 billion to be invested over 5 years)
We have learned that policies that shape daily behavior can only succeed through a deep understanding of on-the-ground realities and continued collaboration with our residents.
I  hope  today  s  forum  provides  a  meaningful  opportunity  for  local  governments  to  assess  realities  and share practical plastic reduction strategies.
Maythis spirit of solidarity spread across the world and lead us toward a truly sustainable global community. Thank you.