Jeju Bids to Host 2012 World Conservation Congress


A signature drive is under way to attract the International Union for Conservation of Nature's World Conservation Congress to Jeju. Both central and local governments aim to get a total of 1 million signatures by mid-September when an IUCN inspection team comes to Jeju.

They are hoping to get 300,000 signatures from Jeju and 500,000 from other parts of the country, along with 200,000 from overseas. Jeju Governor Kim Tae-hwan asked the public for support so that Jeju's five-year-long efforts can bear fruit.

Jeju is up against Cancun, Mexico to host the fifth WCC in 2012. The IUCN inspection team's visit to Jeju this September will be a critical moment to decide whether Jeju is qualified to host the event. What the inspectors think most important is how much locals are willing to participate in the public drive.

Back in 2007, Jeju people took part in a signature campaign to add several tourist attractions on the island as UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites.

The IUCN WCC is the world's largest environmental event, with 10,000 people from 180 nations attending. Held every four years, it is also known as the environmental Olympics.

Hosting the event is expected to bring in more than W100 billion (US$1=W1,219) worth of economic benefits.

- Above article is from "Arirang News" -