World Hydrogen Expo 2025 (WHE 2025), hosted by the World Hydrogen Expo Organizing Committee (Co-chairs: Nam-hoon Kang, Chairman of the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association, and Jae-hong Kim, Chairman of the Korea Hydrogen Alliance), opened on Thursday at Halls 7 and 8 of KINTEX Exhibition Center 2 in Goyang.
Held on an unprecedented scale following the integration of the international hydrogen conference and the H2 MEET exhibition, WHE 2025 runs for four days through Sunday and brings together 279 global organizations, related institutions, and companies from 26 countries.
The international conference, taking place from December 4 to December 5, is organized into three tracks: Leadership & Market Insight, covering policy and industry trends from major governments and industries; Hydrogen Deep Dive, focusing on technology and industry strategies presented by leading companies and experts; and Country Day, highlighting hydrogen industry cases from three countries. The international exhibition, running from December 4 to December 7, spans 22,000 square meters and covers the entire hydrogen value chain—production, storage, transportation, and utilization—serving as a platform for substantive technical exchange and business cooperation among global companies and institutions.
The opening ceremony on Thursday morning was attended by around 400 participants, including Sung-hwan Kim, Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment; Jong-bae Lee, Co-chair of the National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum; the Organizing Committee co-chairs; representatives from overseas governments and international organizations; and leaders from domestic and global industries and related institutions.
In his welcome remarks, Nam-hoon Kang, Co-chair of WHE 2025, said, “World Hydrogen Expo, which begins today, has steadily grown alongside the development of Korea’s hydrogen industry since its first edition in 2020 under the title H2 MEET. This year, by expanding and restructuring the exhibition and conference, we have created a practical global hydrogen cooperation platform with participation from not only global companies but also government officials from many countries.”
He added, “The H2 Innovation Award, now in its third year, will serve as a venue to discover innovative technologies and outstanding companies, accelerating industrial innovation through participation by large enterprises, SMEs, and startups in the hydrogen sector. In addition, by jointly hosting business consultations with KOTRA, we aim to provide opportunities for exchange between domestic and overseas companies and for entry into global markets. The WHE 2025 Organizing Committee will do its utmost to ensure this event becomes a platform for global exchange and cooperation that drives the growth and advancement of the hydrogen industry.”
In his opening address, Organizing Committee Co-chair Jae-hong Kim stated, “Even as the global hydrogen economy goes through a period of adjustment, leading countries continue to invest from a mid- to long-term perspective. To ensure sustained investment in Korea as well, we have integrated the conference and exhibition starting this year to create tangible business opportunities, and we will continue to develop World Hydrogen Expo into a global hydrogen cooperation platform.”
In his congratulatory remarks, Jong-bae Lee, Co-chair of the National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum, said, “WHE 2025 delivers a message to the world: hydrogen leaders should unite through innovation and move forward more rapidly. By strengthening international cooperation and solidarity, this event will serve as a meaningful opportunity to elevate Korea’s status as a central nation in the hydrogen economy. The National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum will spare no effort in providing necessary legislative, policy, and institutional support for Korea’s hydrogen economy and clean hydrogen ecosystem.”
Jeong-tae Ho, also Co-chair of the National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum, noted, “There remain many challenges ahead, including advancing clean hydrogen production systems, activating the Clean Hydrogen Portfolio Standard (CHPS), expanding hydrogen infrastructure, and growing utilization markets. Amid market uncertainty and reduced investment, there is concern that the momentum of the hydrogen economy could slow. The Forum will continue to translate voices from the field into policy and provide legislative and institutional support to strengthen the competitiveness of the hydrogen industry.”
Following the opening and congratulatory speeches, Laurent Antini, Chair of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), delivered a keynote address, after which distinguished guests toured the exhibition.
World Hydrogen Expo 2025 is the world’s largest hydrogen industry event, bringing together hydrogen companies from around the globe to showcase the latest technologies and trends while creating opportunities for global collaboration. Starting this year, the Hydrogen International Conference and the hydrogen industry exhibition H2 MEET have been integrated into a single event that combines exhibitions and conferences. Covering the entire hydrogen value chain from production to storage, transportation, and utilization, the expo aims to establish itself as a global hub for sharing innovative technologies and market strategies.
