1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the 6th Annual High-Level Policy Consultation between the Republic of Korea and the World Food Programme (WFP) on November 6, 2020, in a virtual format. The ROK and WFP head delegates to the Consultation were Director-General for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cho Yeong-moo and Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Governance Ute Klamert, respectively.

2. The two sides shared the view that COVID-19 has increased the intensity of humanitarian crises, including the food crisis of the international community, and that solidarity and cooperation of the international community is important for overcoming these crises, and agreed to step up bilateral cooperation.

° The ROK side commended the WFP for playing a significant role in responding to COVID-19 as a leading organization in charge of food security as well as logistics and emergency communications in response to COVID-19. In particular, the ROK side extended appreciation to the WFP for its cooperation in the transport of in-kind donations from the ROK in the course of the ROK government’s provision of diagnostic kits and face masks for African countries through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union (AU).

° The WFP side noted that the ROK’s support on COVID-19 response clearly demonstrates the international community’s solidarity for overcoming the common crisis of humanity; stressed that, amid the “hunger pandemic” triggered by COVID-19, the ROK had facilitated immediate response amounting up to 4 million dollars by supporting response to the food crisis caused by the spread of desert locust swarms; and extended appreciation to the ROK for rendering support on the fight against chronic crises such as for Syrian refugees.

3. In the Policy Consultation, the two sides exchanged views on the policy directions of the ROK and the WFP regarding humanitarian assistance and development cooperation; the progress in the reform of the UN development system; and ways to expand cooperation with Korean companies and Korean people’s presence in the WFP.

° The two sides took note that the 20 currently ongoing ROK-WFP cooperation projects, such as those supporting economic and social development of Afghanistan as well as the Food Assistance Program for Yemen, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda, are moving smoothly forward even amid the difficulties triggered by COVID-19 and agreed to work closely together to contribute to overcoming economic and social impact of COVID-19.

° The ROK side, offering congratulations to the WFP on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2020, asked that, as its activities have been recognized in context of peace, the WFP make efforts to contribute further toward sustainable peace.

° The WFP side mentioned that it has lately been working to enhance the aid effectiveness by using innovative technology, including information and communications technology (ICT), drones and block chains, at sites of emergency relief operations and development cooperation. The ROK side said that Korean companies’ interest in humanitarian assistance and development activities has lately been growing, expressed hope for expanded cooperation with Korean companies with outstanding technology, and stressed that the ROK government will increase support in the field.

​

4. The ROK government has held the Annual High-Level Policy Consultation with the WFP since 2015 to review bilateral cooperation and discuss matters of mutual interest. The ROK will continue cooperation with the WFP by building on the outcome of the discussion at the Policy Consultation held amid the humanitarian crisis in responding to COVID-19 as well as on the ROK’s activities on the WFP Executive Board.