The Members of the Assembly of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) appointed Sang-Hyup Kim, Professor of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) as the new Director-General of GGGI for the term of 2025-2028. The appointment comes after a highly competitive global search. The Director-General will lead GGGI’s Secretariat and manage over 250 projects implemented in 51 countries worldwide. Professor Kim will begin his work with GGGI on January 1, 2025.

Professor Kim brings to GGGI a wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving significant initiatives toward green growth and environmental sustainability.  Professor Kim is currently the Co-Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth of the Government of the Republic of Korea and Vice-President of the Green Growth and Sustainable Development Department at KAIST. Previously, he also served as Senior Secretary to the President of the Republic of Korea for Green Growth and President of the Jeju Research Institute and engaged deeply in the establishment of GGGI in 2012.

“I am delighted to welcome Professor Sang-Hyup Kim as GGGI’s new Director-General starting on January 1, 2025,” said Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of GGGI.  “His extensive knowledge of green growth and sustainable development issues and his experience in helping establish GGGI in 2012 will be instrumental for addressing global climate challenges and assisting our Member States transition to the green growth model of development,” Mr. Ban added.

Professor Kim said about the appointment, “I am very honored to be appointed as Director-General of GGGI, which plays essential roles in expanding green growth models around the globe as climate change becomes one of the biggest challenges to our humanity. With the spirit of innovative and inclusive partnership, I will make my utmost efforts to achieve the goals and missions of GGGI and further its development.”

The current Director-General Dr. Frank Rijsberman will reach the end of his second four-year term later this year. The Assembly thanked him for his exemplary contributions to advancing GGGI’s green growth agenda. Under his leadership, GGGI significantly grew its membership and reached close to USD 12 billion investment commitment mobilized for low-carbon development in GGGI’s developing Member States.