1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha participated in the Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Conference held in a video format at 22:00-01:00, May 4-5, Korea Standard Time.

° The purpose of the Conference was to raise funds from the international community in order to develop COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics through international collaboration and to ensure that they are universally available and affordable.

2. The Conference, led by the European Commission, brought together delegates from about 40 donor countries, including the Republic of Korea; such international organizations as the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank (WB); and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, who expressed their willingness to contribute to the development of a vaccine, treatments and diagnostics.

3. Minister Kang explained the ROK’s production capability for diagnostic kits and its provision of such kits to other countries in need; efforts of Korean enterprises and research institutes to develop vaccines and treatments; the sharing of the ROK’s experiences and technology in responding to COVID-19 through webinars; and the ROK’s contribution to international health organizations and groups.

° With regard to vaccines, treatments and diagnostics, the ROK government has contributed 50 million US dollars to international health organizations and partnerships on an annual basis and will continue to do so, including through multiyear pledges to Gavi.

° The ROK government will also start to contribute to CEPI in 2020 and continue to seek ways for cooperation with relevant health organizations and partnerships.