Cheonan City, 21 October 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez participated in the 10th Chungcheongnam-do Carbon Neutrality International Conference held at Sono Belle Cheonan. The conference was co-hosted by Chungcheongnam-do, Cheonan City and The Climate Group with the theme “Subnational Leadership, Corporate Foresight: Pathways to Carbon Neutrality.”

At the opening of the conference, Ambassador Fernandez highlighted that as governments explore climate cooperation, it is equally essential to uphold climate justice and a just transition and that adaptation must stand alongside mitigation. Taking a people-centered approach, the Ambassador emphasized that workers and vulnerable communities must not bear disproportionate costs of climate change. Climate finance, appropriate technology transfer, and capacity-building must be accessible and effectively delivered, consistent with equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, the Ambassador said. The Ambassador further stated that “international and subnational cooperation should respect applicable national laws, policies, institutional mandates, national circumstances, development priorities, and capacities.”  

The conference gathered local government officials including Chungcheongnam-do Vice Governor for Administration Affairs Hong Jong-wan, Chungcheongnam-do Council Chairman Chul-ki Cho and Cheonan City Mayor Ki-soo Jang, representatives from diplomatic missions in the Republic of Korea, international organizations, climate experts and industry leaders to discuss cooperation to proactively respond to climate crisis and seek ways to better implement carbon neutrality policies at the international and subnational level. The event also showcased promotional booths from climate tech companies to enhance their competitiveness in the province. 

At the Policy Session II: Plan for the Carbon Neutrality Innovation Initiative Seminar, Ambassador Fernandez acknowledged Chungcheongnam-do’s initiative to connect technological expertise, research institutions, businesses, and international development cooperation in examining how innovation can support the development priorities of partner countries.

She also conveyed that the Philippines values its engagement with Chungcheongnam-do, including opportunities to advance climate action, green technology, sustainable development, and the welfare of Filipino workers contributing to the province’s economy. END