New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is leaving today for South Korea.
She will attend and participate in the World Climate Industry Expo in Busan from May 25th to May 27th.
“It is an extreme honor to be the only U.S. Mayor to attend and participate in this year’s World Climate Industry Expo in Busan, South Korea,” Cantrell said in a statement. “This presents the perfect opportunity to showcase the climate and sustainability action plans New Orleans has championed on a global stage. As a low-lying coastal city, we are on the front lines of an already changing climate, and now, more than ever, we must take advantage of opportunities like these to see how other countries are approaching the same issue and share best practices."
The meeting's theme is, “Rising Above the Climate Crisis Towards Sustainable Prosperity.”
The mayor says her participation is part of her plan to improve New Orleans environmentally.
"Collective thought processes will allow all leaders in attendance to listen, learn, react and see how to best bring more innovative initiatives to our city. I will continue to advocate for the City of New Orleans both domestically and internationally to ensure we are implementing the best, most reliable and beneficial projects to help achieve our goal of net zero, or carbon-neutrality, by 2050,” Cantrell said.
Thursday the mayor will take part in a panel discussion titled, “Rising Seas and Shifting Shores: The Conundrum of Coastal Living.”
Friday Cantrell will participate in a City Mayor’s Roundtable discussion titled, “Setting and Achieving Goals for Smart Cities to Achieve Carbon Neutrality.”
She will also attend a Business Leaders Roundtable.
"She will hear from global business leaders and high-ranking government officials to discuss the role of corporations in achieving a sustainable future."
Cantrell will return to New Orleans on Sunday.