The Gabonese president agreed to take joint action with a Korean organization against climate change during his visit to Seoul.

International We Love U Foundation chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah met Gabonese President Ali-Ben Bongo Ondimba during his visit to Korea to attend the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.

The central west African nation and the organization signed an agreement on climate change with WeLoveU, a Korea-based global welfare organization, at a green campus environmental seminar at Olympic Parktel in Seoul. 

The seminar was co-hosted by WeLoveU and Daejayon (International Association of University Students for Environmental Movement) to promote environmental improvement in the Gabonese Republic. The Gabonese President, who was in Korea to participate in the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, was accompanied by the country’s foreign minister, investment minister, energy minister and deputy minister as well as by Carlos Boungou, Gabon’s ambassador to Korea.

WeLoveU chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah said: “We prepared the event with Daejayon because we share the same hope to seek a solution to the global environmental problems and to realize the need for a low-carbon society. I hope that the Gabonese Republic that is trying to develop its country based on green growth will also become a strong rope that protects the global environment along with WeLoveU and Daejayon.”

President Ali Bongo Ondimba stayed one hour longer than scheduled at the seminar to hear about WeLoveU and Daejayon’s activities to tackle global environmental problems.

He said: “African countries including Gabon are faced with the problem of sustainable growth. But one thing we have to be clear about is that the growth has to be based on the protection of the environment. Otherwise, we cannot expect a better life.”

He said that Korea is a good model for the growth of the Gabonese Republic, adding: “I hope that WeLoveU and Daejayon will become closer to Africa through the international environmental movement.”

WeLoveU is the creator of the environmental Clean World Movement. The organization also works to help people in the world who are suffering from natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons and floods. It has installed water pumps and water storage facilities in African countries including Ghana and Kenya to solve water shortages, and donated school stationery and daily necessities for students in need. It has also supported Gabonese students with scholarships.

“We hope that our meeting with the President of Gabon will help the relationship of the two countries. We are planning to understand the situation of Gabon and extend our support for the Gabonese people’s welfare, relief and many other things, not just for the environmental problem,” said a WeLoveU spokesperson.

Under the slogan, “Mother’s Love to the Whole World,” the WeLoveU foundation carries out welfare activities including child welfare, youth welfare, senior citizen welfare, social welfare, emergency relief, and international aid.

By Kirsty Talyor  (kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)