19/11/09 - The 3rd International Symposium on the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea was held today in Jeju, South Korea, gathering high-level speakers and experts to define and develop the theme of the International Expo in 2012 - "The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities."

The symposium focused on EXPO Yeosu 2012's vision for green growth, its ocean and coast-related best practices, the Yeosu Declaration, the Yeosu Poject, as well as on the blue economy.

In his speech during the opening ceremony, the BIE Secretary-General, Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, thanked the Korean authorities for their initiative to organize the symposium, an important milestone for the EXPO Yeosu 2012 project, and the speakers for their contribution.  Loscertales said that the Expo, as "a unique opportunity for global public communication," will be" a key asset for governments and international organizations in their effort to promote the major issues at the top of their global agendas and to remind the general public of the targets already set."  He also said that for the city of Yeosu and for Korea, the Expo "will place them at the forefront of the global dialogue on a key issue for humanity and contribute to attach a more innovative and relevant image that advances their brand as well as their cultural and political identity."

The symposium was hosted by the Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Presidential Committee on Green Growth, the Organizing Committee for EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and Jeju National University.