Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation

On 20 December 2023, the Plitvice Lakes National Park Public Institution and the UNESCO-protected Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes located in South Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation at Hotel Dubrovnik in Zagreb.

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With the attendance of Igor Kreitmeyer, Director of the Nature Conservation Directorate with the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation was signed by Tomislav Kovačević, General Manager of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, and Hee-Chan Kim, Director of the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.

This cooperation will provide a foundation for the exchange of knowledge of and experience in preserving these world-famous, fascinating natural sites, managing visitors, achieving sustainability, adapting to climate change, and mutually promoting the parks.

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As Director Kreitmeyer said in his opening speech: “The growing number of tourists visiting our country within a relatively short period of time also means a larger environmental footprint, which is taking its toll on our infrastructure. Therefore, we are putting efforts into modernising our visitor infrastructure to withstand climate extremes. We are preparing management plans that prioritise restoring nature as our greatest ally in the fight against climate change. Protected areas are the cornerstone of conservation action, making every contribution to efficient management an important step in the right direction. The exchange of knowledge and experience among partners and friends managing World Heritage Sites plays a crucial role”.

Joongkeun Oh, Minister Counsellor from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Croatia, invited the Croatian side to pay a return visit and present the Plitvice Lakes National Park in South Korea.

After signing the Memorandum, the delegations visited the “Jeju World Natural Heritage” exhibition, on view at the National and University Library in Zagreb until 23 December.

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