Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon gives an acceptance speech after being elected chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change at a meeting in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Sunday. / Yonhap

By Kim Rahn

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon was elected chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change (WMCCC) at a meeting of the group in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Sunday, the city government said Monday.

Seoul was also selected to open the East Asian Secretariat of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), which administers the WMCCC.

“The damage from climate change and environmental destruction will return to all people on the earth. I encourage all cities to make efforts for harmony between humans and nature, for the coexistence of people in all classes, and for the happiness of present and future generations,” Park said in an acceptance speech.

The meeting was attended by its membership of former and incumbent leaders of municipalities. It was held during the world congress of the ICLEI, which is made up of local authorities.

The council recognized Park’s pro-environment policies, according to Seoul City officials.

Taking the chairman position for two years starting October, Park will preside over the annual Mayor Adaptation Forum as well as participate in international events as a representative of the WMCCC. He will also lead joint promotions of climate-related policies with leaders of some 70 municipalities.

The ICLEI’s East Asian Secretariat, to be opened in October, will help 91 member cities in the region form networks and develop green growth policies.