ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) ― Local Governments for Sustainability, a leading association of cities and local governments in 84 countries to promote to sustainable, environment-friendly development, opened its East Asian headquarters in Seoul on Friday.

The organization founded in 1990 brings together 1,220 cities and local governments from 84 countries. Korea’s 64 local governments are members.

ICLEI plans to provide a place for communication and action with 97 local governments from North and South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan and Mongolia in order to strive for a sustainable city environment.

Their main task is to protect local environments and take action against climate change. The East Asian headquarters will start with 15 workers in three departments.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon attended the opening ceremony as the chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change.

Park was elected in June to head the international association of local government leaders from 88 cities committed to climate change and sustainability. The council was founded in 2005.

By Sang Youn-joo (sangyj@heraldcorp.com)