The President makes speech at Copenhagen climate conference on Dec. 17.

The President said on Dec. 17 (Copenhagen time) that Korea would establish a global institute to fight climate change within the first half of 2010.

This was during the President''s keynote speech (for the full text, click Here) at the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP15, in Copenhagen, Denmark. COP is short for Conference of Parties. It is the highest body of the United Nations Climate Change Convention.

The meeting was attended by presidents and prime ministers from over 100 countries.

The global institute, temporarily named "Global Green Growth Institute" (GGGI) will bring together scholars, scientists and civil society leaders from around the world to come up with workable solutions to climate change problems, according to The President.

"In the spirit of global partnership, the GGGI can act as a global think tank and as a bridge between advanced and developing countries."

President Lee also said during his speech "Taking Action Together" that every country should join hands to make a real difference in efforts to fight global climate change.

"Tackling climate change must begin with each of us doing our own part. Once we do, then there we can start a truly positive cycle around the world," The President said to the participating heads of state, speaking in relation to the Korea-proposed Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) Registry.

The President stressed that "how to" reduce greenhouse gas emissions is as important as "how much" they should be reduced. He went on to say that Korea was investing 2 percent of its GDP annually into research and development of new green technologies and eco-friendly infrastructure under the national vision of "Low Carbon Green Growth." A law on green growth will be passed in Korea by the end of 2009, Lee added.

During the speech, The President officially announced Korea''s bid to host the 18th UN Climate Change Conference in 2012.

"Korea is ready to contribute in opening up the post-2012 regime by hosing the COP18 in 2012," Lee said. The year 2012 is when the Kyoto Protocol expires. The 18th conference is supposed to take place in an Asian country and so far Qatar and Korea have announced their bids to play host. The final decision will be announced at the 16th conference in Mexico late 2010.