Climate change is considered the biggest global risk of 2019. It is expected that environmental problems caused by climate change will have a huge impact on society and the economy as a whole. In-depth discussions were conducted at the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland earlier this year. Particularly, global temperatures are on track to hit a 3 degrees Celsius rise or more at the end of the 21st Century. This rise does not stem from a lack of technology but rather a lack of action from the governments, industries and consumers.

With the introduction of advanced technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) and robots, the world is rapidly developing. In order to confront climate change, the world’s worst crisis, we must increase our efforts. Smart City, which combines nature-friendly technologies and information and communication technologies, is attracting attention as tomorrow’s sustainable city model in which technology, people, and nature work hand in hand. Moreover, Smart City is expected to grow the fastest in the next decade and is considered to be an economic growth engine during sluggish economy growth. Major developed countries are promoting Smart City as a new model of urban innovation, making it a source of job creation and a path to economic recovery.

South Korea, a giant in ICT, should play a role in responding to climate change sustainedly and pulling up global economic growth through smart city development and diffusion. In addition, Korea’s relevant industries should establish a foothold in the international market to secure new business opportunities related to climate change.

Through this international summit, we would like to spur momentum for sustainable economic growth by introducing the trends and prospect of Smart City and the climate-energy sector that lead to sustainable economic development.