Bilateral Relations

Canada — Korea

In September 1995, Environment Canada and the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Environmental Cooperation. The MOU establishes a framework for environmental cooperation with a view to improving environmental cooperation in both countries, mainly in the areas of clean technologies, environmental impact assessment, public education and awareness and atmospheric issues. The MOU is automatically renewed every three years.

In March 2000, Environment Canada's Environmental Technology Advancement Directorate (ETAD) signed a MOU on Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) reciprocity agreement with Korea.

Project Implementation

The Pacific and Yukon region is the lead for the implementation of the Korea MOU.

Illustration of Work

Currently, the Pacific and Yukon Region is hosting a senior official from Korea's Ministry of Environment on a 1.5 year exchange program from January 2004 to June 2005) to study Canadian Environmental Impact Assessment system with specific focus on Strategic Environmental Assessment.

From January 2003 to June 2004 the Pacific and Yukon Region hosted a senior official from the Department of Auditor General of Korea. The purpose is to exchange information on how each country implements sustainable development initiatives at the federal government level.

In June 2001, a Canadian Environmental Mission to Seoul was jointly organized by Environment Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to promote Canadian environmental technologies and services, and to attend the largest Environmental Trade Fair in Korea, the ENVEX 2001. Twenty environmental industries from across Canada participated in the Mission, bringing their innovative products and services on waste and wastewater treatment, air quality management, climate change and clean production technology to Korea and China. During the Mission, Environment Canada representative also made a presentation on the Canadian Environmental Industry, at the first Tripartite Roundtable Meeting on the Environmental Industry between China, Korea and Japan, to share the Canadian government's experiences and practices in promoting environmental industries. Meetings with Korean Environment Minister and the Korean President's Secretary for the Environment were other highlights of the Korean portion of the Mission.

In June 2000, EC PYR hosted a two week study tour for ten senior officials from Korean MOE to exchange information on environmental policies and management approaches in ecosystem management. Korean officials met with federal, provincial, local governments and other stakeholders made presentations on Korea's approach in managing air quality, water, parks and solid wastes. This exchange and shared learning was mutually beneficial for both countries.

Canada and Korea co-hosted two symposiums on Marine Environment, Harbour and Coastal Management in Korea, with participants from Environment Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Natural Resources Canada, Vancouver Port Corporation, Simon Fraser University, and the Canadian private sector. A symposium was also held in Sydney, B.C., in October 1996, and one in Banff, Alberta, in March 1997, on Building Partnerships in the Canadian-Korean Environmental Business.