AIPH Strengthens Global Ties

Celebrating over three decades of connecting people with plants and flowers, the International Horticulture Goyang Korea 2025 (IHK2025) officially opened on Friday, 25 April.

Organised by the Goyang International Flower Foundation (GIFF), the 17-day festival — approved by AIPH — invites the world to experience the harmony of nature and culture under the theme “Flower, Fantasy, and Fragrance.”

Held at the expansive Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang Special City, IHK2025 offers a vibrant showcase across 200,000 square metres, divided into two major zones. The outdoor Flower & Garden Exhibition features themed gardens — including the Special Rose Garden, Local Flower Garden, and Iconic Flower Garden — designed to inspire visitors with vibrant landscaping and creative floral design. Indoors, the Industrial Exhibition Hall highlights national pavilions, new plant breeds, exotic species, and the latest innovations in horticultural technology.

For the first time, the Expo has also partnered with KOTRA through an Overseas Buyer Invitation Support Programme, aiming to strengthen business connections between Korea’s thriving horticultural sector and the global market.

AIPH Delegation Joins Opening Celebrations

During the opening ceremony, AIPH Vice President Dr Holly Peng, and Board Member Mr Youfei Wang – representing Asia Region VII and the China Flower Association – participated in official activities, including the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a visit to Yangjae Flower Market — home to AIPH Member Korea Flower Cultivate Association (KFCA) — and meetings with Mr Lim Yuk-Taek, President of KFCA, alongside KFCA members and the Secretary General of the Korean Floristry Association. The delegation also engaged with senior representatives of the Taean International Horticultural-Healing Expo 2026 Organising Committee, another AIPH-approved event set to open in 2026.

Signing a New Cooperation Partnership

As part of its growing commitment to international collaboration, AIPH signed a new Cooperation Partnership Agreement with GIFF, represented by its President, Mr Chung Heungkyo. The agreement reinforces shared ambitions to strengthen global flower exhibitions and promote horticultural excellence worldwide.

“We are delighted to strengthen our cooperation with the Goyang International Flower Foundation through this agreement,” said MrTim Briercliffe, AIPH Secretary General. “International exhibitions like IHK2025 play a vital role in connecting people to the value of plants and flowers, and in promoting sustainable growth across the global horticultural industry. Through partnerships like this, we can expand international participation, share knowledge, and inspire future generations.”

Reflecting on the visit, Dr Peng praised IHK’s 30-year legacy of strong cross-sector collaboration and citizen engagement, noting that the Expo’s family-friendly atmosphere, high-quality exhibitions, and environmental focus would continue to enhance its international reputation with AIPH’s support.

A Platform for Global Growth

South Korea’s horticultural trade is thriving. In 2023, cut flowers and live plants exports reached €56.2 million, while imports stood at €11.5 million. The Korean floriculture sector remains an important force regionally, with cut flowers, pot plants, and flowering trees occupying over 2,700 hectares, according to the latest AIPH and Union Fleurs International Statistical Yearbook 2024. Industry trends show growing consumer interest in potted plants, indoor greenery, and lifestyle gardening.

Against this evolving backdrop, events like IHK2025 play an increasingly important role in promoting plants to a broader, urban-focused audience and reinforcing the value of flowers and horticulture for future generations.

With more than 700,000 visitors expected and participation from 25 nations and 200 exhibitors, IHK2025 underscores the critical role of horticultural exhibitions in inspiring, educating, and connecting people through the universal language of plants.

• For more information, visit www.flower.or.kr