Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Global Development Partnership Week highlights ODA cooperation in tackling global challenges
Participants pose during the Seoul ODA International Conference, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) at a hotel in Seoul, Monday. Among them are Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-ah, tenth from left, KOICA President Chang Won-sam, eleventh from left, and Carsten Staur, ninth from left, chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee. Courtesy of KOICA
By Lee Hyo-jin
Annual Seoul ODA International Conference brings together government officials, private sector, experts
Korea became a focal point for discussions on official development assistance (ODA) as government officials, experts and civil society representatives from more than 100 countries gathered over the past two weeks to discuss ODA cooperation amid pressing global challenges.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the inaugural Global Development Partnership Week in Seoul, packed with a series of conferences and gatherings running from Sept. 21 to Oct. 3.
The event was designed to raise awareness, both at home and abroad, of Korea's contributions to global development cooperation by bringing together major related events under a single platform, according to KOICA, the state-run ODA agency.
ODA, a key source of financing for international development, refers to government aid intended to promote the economic well-being and welfare of developing countries.
Korea's support spans a wide range of areas, from climate change mitigation and energy transition to agricultural transformation, education, digital technology and knowledge-sharing.
This year's events, held against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting international landscape and concerns over shrinking ODA budgets among major donors, drew government officials from more than 100 countries, along with representatives from international organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society.
Participants discussed how to address emerging challenges in global development and improve cooperation among diverse partners.
Key events included the Seoul ODA International Conference on Sept. 29, the Busan Global Partnership Forum from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 and the high-level meeting of the MIKTA Development Cooperation Institutions Network on Oct. 1.
MIKTA is a cross-regional consultative group formed in 2013 by Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia to contribute to global governance. Korea assumed the 12th MIKTA chair in February for a one-year term.
Since its launch in 2007, the annual Seoul ODA International Conference has served as an effective platform for experts, policymakers and practitioners in the development cooperation community to engage in dialogue and share innovative solutions to the world's most pressing development challenges.
This year's ODA conference in Seoul, held under the theme of "Calling for Partnership: Catalyzing Financing for Development," featured guests such as Carsten Staur, chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC); Alejandra del Moral Vela, executive director of the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation; Noela Pantoja Crespo, executive director of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation; and Debapriya Bhattacharya, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue in Bangladesh.
KOICA President Chang Won-sam delivers an opening speech during the Seoul ODA International Conference at a hotel in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of KOICA
In his opening remarks, KOICA President Chang Won-sam said, "At this critical moment, solidarity and cooperation among development actors who share universal values are more essential than ever." He expressed hopes that the back-to-back gatherings would provide a meaningful platform for practical collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-ah, who gave welcoming remarks, described the conference as a "meaningful opportunity to reflect together on how to pursue innovation and growth in development cooperation."
"To move beyond words on paper, we must reinforce global partnerships among all stakeholders and translate our shared commitments into concrete action," she said.
The vice minister also underscored the government's commitment to not only expand the scale of ODA but also improve its quality by sharpening its strategic focus.
Participants pose during the Busan Global Partnership Forum, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) at a hotel in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of KOICA
Meanwhile, the two-day Busan Global Partnership Forum, held under the theme of development effectiveness, brought together high-level participants, including ministers and vice ministers from 10 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Officials from international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme, along with academics and civil society leaders, also joined the discussions.
They explored ways to advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals through more effective international development cooperation and inclusive partnerships.
According to KOICA, Global Development Partnership Week also featured the 30th meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation Steering Committee on Oct. 1.
Discussions emphasized the need to adapt aid practices to a shifting international landscape, with calls for stronger partnerships across governments, the private sector and civic groups.
The sidelines of the week also featured a capacity-building program for officials from the development cooperation agencies of 12 emerging donor countries, including India, Turkey, Peru and Kazakhstan, as well as a dialogue session between OECD DAC and Southeast Asian donor countries.