Seoul, January 21, 2025 — The Climate Change Center today announced the nomination of CHOI, Jai-chul, former Ambassador to France, as the 6th Chairman of the Board. The inauguration ceremony coincided with a farewell tribute to Dr. Yoo, Young Sook, the 5th Chairwoman and former Minister of Environment.

Chairman CHOI is a distinguished climate change specialist with an extensive experience in the fields of multilateral diplomacy such as climate change, environment, and sustainable development. From the early 1990s, he has been engaged in environmental diplomacy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dealing with bilateral and multilateral environmental cooperation with countries such as Japan and China.

On particular note, from May 2014 to November 2016, he played a pivotal role as the head of the Korean delegation and the Ambassador for Climate Change during the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, where the historic Paris Agreement was adopted. His efforts were instrumental not only in the successful conclusion of the agreement but also in bolstering South Korea's climate leadership on the global stage.

Futhermore, he built up a distinguished career, serving as the Chair of the Executive Committee and President of the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), headquartered in Paris, following three terms as the first Executive Committee Chair from Asia.

The CCC Board’s recommendation committee underscored that CHOI's nomination is especially timely, given the accelerating climate crisis and the intensifying global competition for leadership in climate action. With the CCC now entering its 17th year, the center is poised to strengthen its internal foundation and expand its reach based on CHOI’s vast network and unparalleled expertise.

Established in 2008 as South Korea’s first non-profit organization dedicated to climate change, the CCC has grown to become a leading climate and environmental organization. Under CHOI's stewardship, the CCC aims to enhance its expertise and expand its global influence as an international NGO.

In his remarks at the inauguration, Chairman CHOI declared, “Building upon the diplomatic and environmental expertise, as well as the global networks I have cultivated, I will establish robust partnerships with stakeholders across government agencies, industries, academia, and beyond.”

He also expressed his commitment to actively pursue climate crisis response on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, while expanding and advancing ongoing overseas carbon credit projects and working to lay the a foundation for the East Asian carbon market.

The term of office for the Chairman of the Climate Change Center is two years, with the possibility of reappointment.

✨Biography of Chairman CHOI, Jai-chul, Climate Change Center

• Graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in French Language and Literature, and began diplomatic career in 1981 (15th Foreign Service Examination).
• Served at South Korean embassies in France, Kenya, and the Philippines, as well as at the South Korean Mission to the OECD.
• Held key ambassadorial positions:

• Held leadership roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2007–2009):

• Served as Ambassador for Climate Change (2014–2016), acting as South Korea’s Chief Negotiator for the 2015 Paris Agreement.
• Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Sustainability Management, Inha University (Sept. 2019–Aug. 2022).
• Lecturer at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University, and the Graduate School of Sookmyung Women’s University.
• Honorary Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.
• President of the General Assembly, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) (2020–2023). Chair of the Executive Committee, BIE (2014–2019, three consecutive terms).
• Appointed Honorary President of the BIE (November 2023).
• Co-President of the Climate Change Center (CCC), South Korea (Jan. 2020–Dec. 2024).
• Board Member of the Korea Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) (Jan. 2021–July 2022).
• Published a memoir, “Climate Negotiation Journal of a Diplomat Specialized in Environmental Diplomacy” (May 2020, PARKYOUNGSA), based on his experiences as the lead negotiator during the Paris Agreement negotiations while serving as the Ambassador for Climate Change.
• Contributed numerous articles on the Paris Agreement and environmental diplomacy.