1. On the morning of Monday, August 26, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Tae-ho met with Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

2. Vice Minister Lee noted that the cooperative relations between the ROK and UNICEF continue to become more robust; particularly took note of the active cooperation underway for the implementation of “Action with Women and Peace” initiative led by the ROK government; and suggested further strengthening cooperation.

3. Executive Director Fore shared the progress in the implementation of a UNICEF’s maternal and healthcare project for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) through which the ROK government had contributed funds (3.5 million USD) to UNICEF, and exchanged views on ways to improve the humanitarian situation of vulnerable groups in the DPRK.

4. During the meeting, the two sides shared the view that education for adolescents* is an essential element for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and agreed to explore ways to strengthen cooperation in the field.

* ‘Generation Unlimited’, a new partnership initiated by UNICEF in 2018, aims to expand its support to young people (aged 10-24) by providing basic education and vocational training.

5. The two sides also discussed how the ROK’s development experiences can contribute to the work of UNICEF.