1. The 10th ROK-UNICEF Annual Policy Consultation was held at the Foreign Ministry on October 29 to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the ROK and UNICEF. Director-General for International Organizations Kim Moon-hwan and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF Yoka Brandt attended the consultation as heads of their respective delegations.

2. The ROK and UNICEF have held Director-General-level consultations every year since 2004. The 10th Consultation reviewed the results of the ROK government’s financial contributions to UNICEF. The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on a wide range of issues, including increasing the ROK nationals’ representation in UNICEF, the ROK’s ODA policy, ways to pursue new cooperation projects between the two sides, the ROK’s humanitarian aid policy, and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in emergency relief activities, including those in Syria.

o The two sides agreed to strengthen the results reporting system and enhance transparency in the process of administering the ROK government’s regular or other financial contributions to UNICEF. They also agreed to closely consult on increasing the number of the ROK nationals working in UNICEF.

o The two sides agreed to strengthen the evaluation and monitoring system to successfully implement new cooperation projects between the ROK and UNICEF in the healthcare sector, which will start in Nepal, Cambodia, Rwanda, Ghana and other areas from the second half of the year.

o The two sides also expressed concern over serious violations of human rights, especially of women and children, caused by the situation in Syria and agreed on the need to increase humanitarian assistance to the country.

3. In September 2009, the ROK and UNICEF signed the Framework Agreement to establish the legal basis for bilateral cooperation. Under the Agreement, the two sides will further strengthen bilateral cooperation by fully implementing the agreements reached in the latest consultation. 


                            Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation