*** February 27-28-2010 ~ The First G20 Meeting Is Held on February 27-28 in Songdo

Bumped ~
World's Eyes Are on Incheon

The First G20 Meeting Is Held on February 27-28 in Songdo ~

In Korea, a global event which will upgrade “Korea’s Status” on the international stage takes place in November 2010. The very occasion is the G20 Summit Meeting. A total of seven G20 meetings are open this year. They include two Deputies’ Meetings, two Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meetings and one Summit Meetings.

The kick-off event of the eight G20 gatherings is the Deputies’ Meeting from February 27 to 28, 2010 held in Songdo Convensia in Incheon.

The G20 Summit Meetings will contribute to the promotion of Korea, improvement of its national brand, and image upgrade. To the world’s citizens, Korea is still not well recognized. Many foreigners confuse South Korea with North Korea. Against this backdrop, the first Deputies’ Meeting is a chance of lifetime to promote both Korea and Incheon in the world.

Korean President Lee Myung-bak & UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recommended Songdo

President Lee Myung-bak and UN Secretary General played a critical role for Incheon to be chosen as the venue for the first Deputies’ Meeting prior to the G20 Summit. President Lee said at the opening ceremony of the 2009 Incheon Global City Festival, “The G20 Summit takes place in 2010, and I wish the heads of countries in the world will have an opportunity to visit Songdo.” In addition, Secretary General Ban announced at the 2009 Global Environment Forum, “The most effective way to promote Korea in the world is to show Songdo to the heads of countries.” The remarks were the flare of Songdo’s designation as the venue for the first Deputies’ Meeting.

Songdo’s designation as the venue for the first of the eight G20 gatherings in Korea testifies that the city is a place where green growth and ubiquitous systems are realized. Songdo meets the concept and issues which the G20 Summit stresses. The Deputies’ Meeting is the first G20 gathering that Korea is to chair, and that deals with the key agendas of the 2010 G20 Summit. As the first Deputies’ Meeting is held prior to the G20 Summit in Seoul, its success will play a significant role in stamping a good image on Korea and improving Korea’s credibility.

Proposal of Incheon Tour for G20 Meeting Participants

The agendas for the G20 Deputies Meeting have not been decided yet but it is very likely that main discussions will be on the speed of the economic recovery and the management of the world economy after crises.

The first G20 Finance Deputies’ Meeting is held in Songdo Convensia for two days from February 27, 2010 as closed-door. The conference is centered on discussions so sideline events that usually accompany meetings are not provided. The main event hall is the Grand Ballroom at Songdo Convensia, which was evaluated as the optimal meeting venue where the participants can observe the Incheon Sea and Incheon Bridge.

Vice finance ministers and vice governors of central banks from member nations have a tight schedule for two days and one night. They will continue to be involved in a series of meetings for two days from February 27, the day they arrive in Songdo from Incheon International Airport. To save time, they will not have a separate time for lunch and dinner. Instead they will have meals during the meetings.

Incheon City plans to extensively promote the city in international society through G20 Summits. During the G20 gatherings, five billion citizens of G20 member nations will watch Korea and Incheon through broadcasting by the World’s major media companies including CNN and the BBC. With the event, not only Korea, but also Incheon’s brand values will be enhanced.

Incheon has developed a special tour course to show Incheon to the heads of G20 member nations considering their tight schedule. The course takes about one and half hours, covering the observation Deck on the 65th floor of the Northeast Asia Trade Tower, Underground conduits & Automated Pneumatic Waste Collection Facilities and the Incheon Bridge.

Tour courses for other G20 participants and media staff are always available during the gathering period. Incheon plans to show its diverse aspects by providing multiple tours: Songdo – Youngjongdo Course; Songdo – Wolmido Island – Open Port Course; Incheon Sea Course; Incheon Ganghwa Course.

The city has already submitted a proposal regarding Incheon Songdo tour courses to the Presidential Committee for G-20 Summit. It is said that the committee is positive toward the tours for media staff if adjusting the schedule is possible while saying changing the schedules of the summits and their spouses is difficult for the special tour.

lhnews.com

related ~

Links to South Korea Articles