Seoul to Propose `Green Growth` as G-20 Summit Agenda

Korea will propose green growth as an agenda item at next month`s G-20 summit in Seoul, it was confirmed Monday.

The chairman of the Presidential Committee for the G-20 Summit, Sakong Il, is known to have made a secret visit to China following U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, heralding the start of preparation among Korea, the U.S. and China for a successful summit.

Seoul quoted the International Monetary Financial Committee, a ministerial-level advisory body under the International Monetary Fund, as saying, “Korea’s experience of pursuing green growth will be a good agenda item” since the Seoul summit will be the first to discuss “a new growth engine” beyond a “joint response to the global financial crisis.”

Multiple sources from the Korean government said Seoul made it clear that it will make green growth an agenda item and as one of the long-term tasks to lead joint growth of developing and emerging economies.

In addition, Korea will hold bilateral consultation with China over the remaining period, saying Beijing`s active cooperation in the gist of the Gyeongju Communiqué will greatly contribute to the success of the Seoul summit.

This is apparently why Sakong went to China Monday for a three-day visit with his core committee staff. He is said have held talks with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, who is in charge of economic issues.

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