1. The 76th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) took place in the format of video conference at 11:00-18:30, May 21, Korea Standard Time, under the theme topic of “Promoting economic, social and environmental cooperation on oceans for sustainable development.”

° At the session, the participants adopted a resolution on “Strengthening cooperation to promote sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development in the Asia and the Pacific,” in which the Republic of Korea participated as a co-sponsor. The adoption of the resolution confirmed the will of the member states to step up cooperation in the region for the conservation of marine resources and their sustainable use.

° The ROK government introduced its policies aimed at sustainable development of oceans, including efforts to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as measures to reduce marine plastic pollution.

2. At the session, the participants also discussed “Regional cooperation to address the socioeconomic effects of the global health crisis,” and, as a result, they adopted a resolution on “Regional cooperation to address the socioeconomic effects of pandemics and crises in Asia and the Pacific,” in which they expressed their will to forge global solidarity to set up equal, inclusive and sustainable economic and social systems and thereby to build back better.

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° The ROK government underscored the need for international collaboration for effective response to COVID-19 and explained that it will actively share its “K-Quarantine” model for disease prevention and control with the international community and make efforts to meet the needs of the international community, including its requests for medical equipment and supplies.

3. The ROK ran for and won a membership in the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) under the UN ESCAP.