The Green Roundtable, initiated in 2016 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, has evolved into a key platform for fostering networks and discussing cooperation measures among international organizations and domestic institutions in the environmental sector. The forum aims to create synergies in transitioning to a low-carbon economy and addressing the global climate crisis.
The climate crisis presents a shared challenge for humanity, with water-related issues being among its most immediate and critical impacts. In this context, innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are gaining prominence as vital tools for sustainable water management.
The 12th Green Roundtable, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and K-water, will convene under the theme “AI & Water: Enhancing International Cooperation through Technology-Driven Water Management.” This conference seeks to:
This session is hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Republic of Korea & Korea Water Resources Corp(K-water)
Mr. Keeyong Chung was appointed as the Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, effective October 7, 2024. In this capacity, he serves as Korea’s chief negotiator for the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. Prior to this role, Ambassador Chung was appointed as the Special Representative for the Indo-Pacific in February 2024, where he worked to strengthen Korea’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and enhance strategic communication and cooperation with key countries both in the region and globally.
A career diplomat since 1993, Ambassador Chung has played a leading role in the Korean government’s efforts on a broad range of issues, including the ROK-US alliance, maritime delimitation and state responsibilities, and climate change. He previously served as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Morocco (July 2021–February 2024), Director-General for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Scientific Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (September 2019–July 2021), Director of Governance at the Global Green Growth Institute (September 2016–September 2019), and Director of the International Legal Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (July 2011–July 2013). He has also served in the Korean embassies in Washington D.C., Tokyo, and Sofia.
Ambassador Chung holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and an LL.B. from Seoul National University.
Sang-Hyup Kim became Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) on January 1, 2025, returning to the organization he helped establish in 2012. His 40-year career spans media, academia, and policymaking, dedicated to sustainable development and climate action.
He previously co-chaired Korea’s Presidential Commission on 2050 Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth and has advised KAIST, where he also serves as Visiting Professor. He was President of the Jeju Research Institute, Director of KAIST’s Center for Sustainable Development, and founder of the Coalition for Our Common Future, alongside numerous national and regional leadership roles.
Vice president, Investment Solutions, AIIB
Member of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea
With over 15 years of experience in wastewater treatment, he has led the development of digital twin technologies based on automated design and simulation.
He currently serves as Head of the WAI Division at BukangTech Co., Ltd., overseeing the AI-based platform for the design and operational optimization of wastewater treatment facilities.
Senior Researcher, Korea Environment Institute
Maja Groff, Esq., an international lawyer based in The Hague, is Convenor/Executive Director of the Climate Governance Commission, which seeks to propose high impact global governance innovations adequate to meet the climate challenge. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Coordinating Committee and Senior Treaty Advisor for the International Anti-Corruption Court (IACC). She has previously worked on the development and implementation/administration of multiple multilateral treaties. She was a Visiting Professor at Leiden University and Chair of the Planetary Governance Program, The New Institute. She was co-winner of the 2018 international prize on global governance innovation (New Shape Prize), and is co-author of the book, Global Governance and the Emergence of Global Institutions for the 21st Century (Cambridge University Press). She has served on advisory boards for B for Good Leaders and ebbf, organizations devoted to ethical business.
Dr. Moreno-Rodenas works at Deltares, a 800FTE applied research institute for water-management, hydraulics and geotechnics based in Delft, the Netherlands. At Deltares, Dr. Moreno-Rodenas coordinates the Data Science – Artificial Intelligence Enabling Technologies research program. His research integrates deep learning, remote sensing, computer vision, and data-driven approaches to improve the understanding of water processes, water-related risks, and the resilience of hydraulic infrastructure. He obtained his civil engineering degree from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain, and his PhD Cum laude from the Technical University of Delft, the Netherlands. He has contributed with novel machine learning based monitoring and model emulation methods to different applications in the fields of urban water infrastructure, dams and reservoirs, risk quantification, off-shore wind power, coasts and artificial intelligence. Dr. Moreno-Rodenas is also advisor to the Dutch program for Global near real-time flood Disaster Response Programme (RVO, Ministry of Economic Affairs) on the topics of Remote Sensing and Dam failures.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Water Management (UNESCO-IHP)
This presentation will introduce the UNESCO-IHP/Deltares publication on Uses of Artificial Intelligence for Water Management. This initiative aims at making concepts of AI and Machine learning closer to water management practitioners and stakeholders. The publication covers basic concepts of AI, along with a review of the maturity of these technologies in different domains related to water management, such as water resources, water quality or hydraulic infrastructure risks. A highly relevant aspect within the implementation of these technologies is the ethical and governance framework in which they are deployed as well. In this presentation, Antonio will introduce the publication, providing an overview, followed by a reflection on international cooperation in terms of capacity building, regulatory and oversight considerations of AI in water management.
Eng. Abdulla Alremeithi is the Director of Environment Policy, Regulation and Climate Change at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). He has more than 17 years of experience in the environmental sector and is responsible for leading planning and development of environmental policies and regulations in Abu Dhabi, and for supporting the government in the fields of climate change, environmental policies, and green development, at the national and international levels. He is also a senior advisor to the UAE COP 28 team and the country’s representative at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany. Abdulla contributes to several national initiatives in the
UAE:
Abdulla holds a master degree in Project Management from the British University in Dubai and a bachelor degree with honors in Environmental Engineering from Liverpool John Moores University.
Professor Seung-Ho Lee works as Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, Korea University. Professor Lee focuses on institutional change in water resources management with special reference to Korea, China, and Southeast Asia, especially the Mekong River Basin. He has published many academic papers in internationally renown journals, such as Water Policy, Water Resources Management, and Water International. Professor Lee often consults with the Ministry of Environment of Korea, K-water, KEXIM Bank, Korea Development Institute, UNESCO-iWSSM, UNESCAP Bangkok, and the World Bank
James Tay is a Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist with extensive experience across Asia and the Pacific. Currently serving at the World Bank’s Water Global Practice for the East Asia and Pacific region, James currently leads operations and analytical work in Mongolia, China, and Solomon Islands and has experience in Singapore, Australia, India and Timor-Leste. Previously, James held advisory roles supporting Singapore’s government-to-government initiative in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. He led discussions on the overall infrastructure master planning, and designed capacity-building programs that were later replicated for Sri Lanka and Myanmar. His early career at the state water utility in Perth, Australia saw him recognized as finalist for the Young Water Professional of the Year award in 2012 for his contributions to state water policy. James brings a strategic blend of policy insight, technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement to complex water and sanitation challenges, with a strong track record in delivering impactful, country-led solutions.
Dr. Malle Fofana is the Regional Director for Asia and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) for the Deputy Director-General for Green Growth Implementation at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Dr. Fofana has more than 22 years of professional experience in the development and private sectors, specializing in resource mobilization, project development, and implementation. He supports the Green Growth Transition of GGGI’s member countries in Asia — from policy to investment — by working closely with governments, the private sector, financial institutions, multilateral development banks (MDBs), and impact investors.
Prior to joining GGGI, Dr. Fofana served as Managing Director at leading management consulting firms, focusing on development issues in Africa. In these roles, he defined, led, and implemented a wide range of economic and social development initiatives across the continent. He has contributed to over 100 projects in key sectors, collaborating with major donors as well as private sector partners in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Mr. Leo Park currently serves as:
Climate Policy Expert for Article 6.4 Mechanism under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Climate Specialist, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)
Advisor on Green Finance, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT)
External ESG Advisory Committee Member, NH-Amundi Asset Management
CEO, Korea Water Resources Corp(K-water)
The Green Roundtable, initiated in 2016 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, has evolved into a key platform for fostering networks and discussing cooperation measures among international organizations and domestic institutions in the environmental sector. The forum aims to create synergies in transitioning to a low-carbon economy and addressing the global climate crisis.
The climate crisis presents a shared challenge for humanity, with water-related issues being among its most immediate and critical impacts. In this context, innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are gaining prominence as vital tools for sustainable water management.
The 12th Green Roundtable, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and K-water, will convene under the theme “AI & Water: Enhancing International Cooperation through Technology-Driven Water Management.” This conference seeks to:
This session is hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Republic of Korea & Korea Water Resources Corp(K-water)