1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jongmoon attended the “Virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Alliance for Multilateralism” held on the morning of February 24, Geneva time, on the occasion of the High-Level Segment of the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, and underscored the need for joint response to new human rights challenges such as new and emerging technologies and human rights.

° The Virtual Ministerial Meeting was hosted by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and brought together delegates of some 30 countries including Korea, as well as those from international organizations such as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Directors-General of UNESCO and the World Trade Organization.

2. Vice Minister Choi noted that the Alliance for Multilateralism has contributed to promoting international cooperation and drawing united support for multilateralism from the international community while being at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19 and building back better.

° The Vice Minister particularly stressed that today’s issues such as digital revolution, climate change, and possible pandemics call for stronger joint response.

3. Vice Minister Choi mentioned that, as there are both positives and negatives of digital technology, close cooperation among multistakeholders is important in maximizing the positives and minimizing the negatives of digital technology on human rights.

° The Vice Minister also introduced the resolution on “new and emerging technologies and human rights” adopted under the leadership of the Korean government in 2019, asking for interest and support in the second resolution to be tabled at the 47th session of the Human Rights Council this June.

4. Vice Minister Choi’s attendance at the “Alliance for Multilateralism” meeting is seen to have served as a good opportunity to reaffirm Korea’s commitment to play a leading role in and contribute to discussions on newly emerging human rights issues, including climate change, response to infectious diseases, and new and emerging technologies.