| bibo:abstract |
Ⅰ. Introduction
Ⅱ. Highlights of President Yoon’s Keynote Speech at the 77th Session of the UNGA
Ⅲ. Significance of the Speech and Implications for Korea’s Development Cooperation Diplomacy
Ⅰ. Introduction
President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered his first keynote speech at the United Nations (UN) at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 20, 2022. President Yoon’s speech titled, “Freedom and Solidarity: Answers to the Watershed Moment,” marked a significant event as it declared the Korean government’s determination to show support and solidarity in advancing the universal values of freedom, human rights, and rule of law established within the UN system and international community, and to join international efforts to promote peace and prosperity for future generations.
It is also worth noting that President Yoon’s speech at the UNGA mapped out the direction of his administration’s development cooperation diplomacy by fleshing out the Korean government’s efforts to solve a wide range of global challenges faced by the international community, such as the global pandemic, climate change, and the digital divide.
Ⅱ. Highlights of President Yoon’s Keynote Speech at the 77th Session of the UNGA
President Yoon underscored that “genuine freedom and peace can turn into reality when we are free from disease and hunger, free from illiteracy and free from want of energy and culture,” and that “support for nations of the world facing challenges will render global freedom and peace more sustainable.” He reiterated the importance of UN-led international cooperation as well as efforts to help developing countries, including through official development assistance (ODA), to resolve global challenges in health, climate, and digital sectors.
First, President Yoon elaborated on Korea’s commitment towards strengthening global health. Specifically, Korea’s efforts to accelerate research and development of Covid-19 therapeutics and vaccines as well as its contributions to global health initiatives were introduced. As part of such efforts, the Korean government pledged 300 million dollars toward the Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), 30 million dollars to the World Bank’s Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, and 100 million dollars to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria for 2023-2025. Furthermore, Korea has played a leading role in advancing global health agendas by participating in the World Health Organization (WHO)’s pandemic accord negotiations and hosting the ministerial meeting of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) in Seoul this November.
Second, the speech unveiled a comprehensive set of strategic goals in addressing climate change and the digital divide, pledging to increase Korea’s green ODA to help developing countries transition to a low-carbon future and share its innovative green technologies with the entire humanity.
President Yoon also articulated his administration’s initiative to transfer Korea’s e-government technology to developing countries and scale up assistance for digital education and investment to substantially improve democracy, public service, and welfare and mitigate a widening digital divide among countries.
With such specific visions and goals, President Yoon reaffirmed that global solidarity and deference to universal norms and the UN system were the fundamental solutions to solving global challenges and achieving international peace, security, and prosperity. Within this context, the Korean government, as a responsible member of the international community, will strengthen its cooperation and leadership.
Ⅲ. Significance of the Speech and Implications for Korea’s Development Cooperation Diplomacy
The keynote speech provided the following key significance and implications for Korea’s development cooperation diplomacy.
First, the speech presented the universal values and foreign policy directions that Korea will pursue in becoming a global pivotal state. It also reaffirmed the importance of development cooperation diplomacy as a powerful instrument in Seoul’s efforts to achieve the global pivotal state vision. In particular, Korea strives to leap as both a global pivotal state and advanced donor by practicing development cooperation that contributes to universal values such as human rights, peace, and freedom.
Second, through the speech, the Korean government acknowledged the importance and necessity of Korea’s development cooperation diplomacy. Korea also underscored commitment towards its development cooperation diplomacy by spelling out its plans to support developing countries and thereby help the international community reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and realize global values, at the high-level general debate of the UNGA.
Third, by presenting the three priority areas of Korea’s development cooperation, i.e. health, climate change, and digital, the speech provided greater clarity to the direction of Korea’s development cooperation diplomacy as well as the government’s will to lead relevant global agendas. It is worth noting that not only is there a great need for support from partner countries, but Korea also has a comparative advantage in the aforementioned areas. There is also great room for key domestic stakeholders, such as civil society organizations and private sector companies, to expand their participation. Thus, both Korea and its partner countries can advance their national interests for mutual prosperity.
Fourth, the speech has affirmed that multilateral diplomacy is as important as bilateral engagement when it comes to development cooperation. While a slew of challenges, from the pandemic, climate change, food and energy crisis, to conflicts raise questions about the viability of the UN system, they also serve as a reminder that the international community must restore global governance. Likewise, in addition to continuing its bilateral aid to developing countries, Korea should upgrade its international development cooperation by assuming greater leadership in multilateral diplomacy.
The Korean government has continuously increased its ODA budget to address global challenges, despite domestic constraints. It is imperative that the Korean government implement the expanded ODA budget in an effective and efficient manner, and ensure that its development cooperation improves the lives of people in the developing world. Going forward, enhancing the effectiveness and impact of Korea’s development cooperation will be a critical task. To do so, the Korean government should focus on creating a proper ODA ecosystem, strengthening results-based management, and advancing aid implementation practice, among others.
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