Welcome Message
On behalf of the International Society of Citriculture (ISC), the Korean Society for Citrus and Subtropical Climate Fruit (KSCSCF) and the Organizing Committee of the 15th International Citrus Congress (ICC 2024), I welcome all of you to the ICC 2024 held at Jeju, Korea in 10th - 15th November, 2024.
Jeju Island was created about 4 million years ago when a volcano erupted in the middle of the Pacific Ocean between Korea, China, and Japan. Jeju Island now features gentle slopes in each cardinal direction, all stemming from the top of the 1950m-high Halla Mountain. These mountain slopes are home to a variety of beautiful scenery. The island’s humid subtropical climate has allowed Jeju to become the largest citrus producer in Korea. Early winter is especially beautiful, when the citrus fruits start to ripen. Jeju’s landscape becomes a painting, with the usual greens and browns accompanied by snowy-white peaks, dotted with the yellows and oranges of ripening fruit. Because of this beauty, Jeju has long been called a sacred place for newlyweds, and is also a popular tourist destination, both domestically and internationally.
The world is being hit by unpredictable natural disasters due to climate change, threatening people all over the world. The sense of urgency in the agricultural sector, which grows so much of humanity’s food, is even greater. Citriculture is no exception, and we face the uncertain task of making even larger efforts for the survival of humankind and sustainable future development of citrus industry.
I am very grateful, but also feel the weight of responsibility with holding the ICC 2024 on Jeju Island, where our citrus industry accounts for such a large portion of Korea’s domestic production. We have all worked hard to make the ICC 2024 an excellent opportunity for researchers and industry experts from all over the world to get together and communicate. This will be such a onderful time for us all to explore and embody new alternatives to address the climate change crisis and a great variety of industrial challenges. In addition, the 4th Jeju International Citrus Expo will be held in 13th - 19th November and all participants will be invited to spend enjoyable time during the period of the ICC 2024.
We are looking forward to the start of a new future for the citrus industry in the world, as well as to the active participation of the members of the ISC and all the persons involved in our citrus industry.
Kwan Jeong Song, Ph.D.
President
International Society of Citriculture