CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature in the spotlight at 2025 World Local Government Climate Summit

Korean local governments engage at CitiesWithNature capacity-building workshop

On Wednesday, 16 April, the ICLEI Korea Office took center stage at the “2025 World Local Government Climate Summit” with a special side event: the CitiesWithNature Capacity-Building Workshop for Korean Local Governments. This interactive session was designed to elevate understanding of the CitiesWithNature initiative and empower ICLEI member cities in Korea to fully engage with this pioneering platform. With around 13 local governments and institutions participating, the workshop spotlighted how local action can lead global change in biodiversity and nature-based solutions.

 

In her welcome address, Kobie Brand, ICLEI Deputy Secretary General, laid out ICLEI’s global vision for embedding biodiversity and ecosystem thinking into urban development. She traced the journey that led to the creation of CitiesWithNature, ICLEI’s flagship initiative, which envisions cities where nature and people thrive together. Emphasizing the importance of collective effort, Ms. Brand stated that no city can act in isolation. Building strong city partnerships, she said, is vital to secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Recognized under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), CitiesWithNature is not just another network, it’s a dynamic platform grounded in policy action and real-world implementation. Ms. Brand also considered the upcoming UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil, calling it the “Nature COP.” She underscored the urgent need to bridge the climate-biodiversity divide and placed local governments at the heart of this integration through CitiesWithNature.

“To act globally, it is important to build partnerships with local governments. CitiesWithNature will serve as a hub for collaboration and joint action between cities.”

~ Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

Korean and Chinese cities take bold action in global biodiversity efforts

Highlighting regional momentum, Ms. Miyeon Yoo, ecological expert from Yeoncheon County, Korea, shared how her county’s UNESCO-designated areas are aligning with the CitiesWithNature movement. Guided by a vision of “conservation tourism,” Yeoncheon has crafted a unique governance model for managing the Imjin River, now both a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Global Geopark. The county runs a variety of conservation, ecotourism, education and culture programs, with a strong focus on biodiversity monitoring and youth engagement.

Since joining ICLEI in 2023, Yeoncheon has rapidly grown its international profile, co-hosting events like the “Yeoncheon UNESCO International Symposium for Future Generations” and featuring in the CitiesWithNature Guide Nature Values and Valuation for Cities. In 2024, the Imjingang River area was also designated as a Flyway Network Site under the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP). Yeoncheon is now preparing to launch the Yeoncheon UNESCO Center, which will serve as a key base for expanding its nature-based development strategies and a model for other Korean cities.

From China, Ms. Ge Liu, Strategic Manager at the ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, highlighted the country’s leadership in biodiversity policy. As the co-host of CBD COP15, China elevated its “Ecological Civilization” strategy and rallied local governments across the country to join CitiesWithNature. Thanks to these efforts, 26 Chinese cities joined the platform following COP15 and COP16, with several recognized as “Biodiversity Charming Cities” for their leadership and innovation.

China’s strong presence at the 7th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities, along with city-led events like “China Day,” demonstrates a powerful commitment to international biodiversity partnerships. Moving forward, Chinese cities are actively applying tools like the City Biodiversity Index (CBI) and Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (LBSAPs), with ICLEI support, to turn national ambitions into local action.

Unveiling the CitiesWithNature Action Platform Handbook: Empowering Korean local governments

Minwoo Chun of ICLEI Korea took the stage to introduce the practical tools and strategies available through CitiesWithNature. Chief among them is the Action Platform, a powerful mechanism that helps local governments align their goals with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at CBD COP15. Through this tool, cities can declare nature-based commitments, set measurable goals, and transparently track progress, demonstrating the subnational push behind the global biodiversity agenda.

 

With the official launch of the CitiesWithNature program in Korea this year, ICLEI Korea is preparing a series of practical resources including issue briefs, dialogue reports, guides, and case studies designed to inspire and equip local policymakers. Best practices from Korean cities will also be amplified on the global stage through ICLEI networks, creating a cycle of learning and inspiration.

 

To support this evolution, ICLEI Korea is transforming its Strategic Planning Team into the “Climate and Nature Team” starting in 2025, signaling a deeper commitment to integrated action on climate and biodiversity. As implementation of both the Paris Agreement and the GBF accelerates, such convergence is no longer a choice – it’s a necessity. ICLEI Korea stands ready to champion biodiversity-forward cities through CitiesWithNature in the years ahead.