UNICEF and KOICA cooperate to empower children amid climate crisis

George Laryea-Adjei, front row fourth from left, director of UNICEF's Programme Group Leadership Team, and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Vice President Sohn Jung-mee, front row third from right, pose with delegates representing both UNICEF and KOICA to commemorate the signing of the UNICEF-KOICA Climate Partnership Agreement in Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday. Courtesy of UNICEF

UNICEF and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have inked a groundbreaking $39 million climate grant to boost climate-smart social services in the East Asia-Pacific and Eastern and Southern Africa regions.

This three-year initiative is designed to fortify child-critical social services and empower children as climate change advocates.

Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF, expressed gratitude to the Korean government for its significant contribution, which is its first climate change donation to UNICEF and its largest UNICEF donation ever.

"KOICA’s climate funding will enhance community resilience and ensure access to essential services such as health care, education, water and food, amid climate-related disasters," she said.

The partnership will specifically enhance climate-related social services in countries including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, as well as in African nations like Comoros and Zimbabwe.

These countries were chosen based on KOICA’s focus on aiding fragile and conflict-affected areas, aligning with the Korean government’s strategy to address the interconnected challenges of humanitarian aid, development and peacebuilding efforts.

Sohn Jung-mee, vice president of KOICA, emphasized the Korean government’s dedication to global sustainability and proactive climate action. Under the nation's vision of becoming a global pivotal state, the government is focusing on addressing the climate and environmental crisis.

"KOICA’s climate grant will strengthen the resilience of essential service systems, safeguarding children and communities in some of the world’s most disaster-prone and vulnerable areas," she said.

"The world is at a crossroad but we can strengthen our commitment and mobilize our collective will to create a healthy, sustainable world fit for children. This partnership is a major step in the right direction," said George Laryea-Adjei, director of UNICEF's Programme Group Leadership Team.

This $39 million fund is the largest single grant ever received by the climate sector from the Korean government, with $29 million allocated to the East Asia and Pacific region and $10 million to the Eastern and Southern Africa region.