Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has been designated as the Island of World Peace by the government of Republic of Korea on 27 January 2005, and promotes Jeju as a place to discuss world peace through summit meetings and international conferences in efforts to make significant contribution to world peace and enhancement of stability on the Korean Peninsula.

With this recognition, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNITAR, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and the International Peace Foundation (IPF) took place on 30 March 2010, at Jeju Provincial Government Building in Jeju City. The MoU was signed by Mr. Carlos Lopes, Executive Director of UNITAR, Mr. Tae Hwan Kim, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and Mr. Tae-Kyu Han, President of Jeju Peace Institute on behalf of Chairman of the Board of IPF. The purpose of the MoU is to provide a framework for cooperation between UNITAR, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and IPF in the field of training and international conferences.

Prior to the signing of the MoU, the Partnership Agreement between UNITAR and IPF for the establishment of CIFAL Jeju was signed by Mr. Carlos Lopes and Mr. Tae-Kyu Han at Jeju Peace Institute.

CIFAL Jeju, a new member of the worldwide CIFAL Network, will provide training programmes to local authorities and actors in the Asia Pacific region focusing on the thematic areas of Human Security and Environment. As a leading country of “Low Carbon, Green Growth”, Republic of Korea’s experiences in the area of environment will help countries in the Asia Pacific region to develop their capacities in policy implementations at local, national, and regional levels.

Mr. Carlos Lopes made a speech on 30 March 2010 at Jeju National University with its title “Are we listening? Identities facing a deep multi-faceted global crisis”. He addressed Republic of Korea as an inspiring model for international cooperation in the area of environment, mentioning a major shift of the economy in its five-year mid-term plan to implement a “low-carbon, green growth vision” for sustainable development in the East Asian region.

CIFAL Jeju will be inaugurated in July 2010. With its office, CIFAL Jeju is located on the premises of IPF and expects to launch the first training programme in October 2010.