1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold the “10^th High-Level Forum on the Korea-Caribbean Partnership” under the theme “Korea-Caribbean Comprehensive Partnership in the Post-COVID-19 era” on November 11, and explore ways to strengthen substantive cooperation with Caribbean countries mainly in the areas of public health and food security in the post-COVID-19 era.

o The upcoming Forum to be co-organized by the Foreign Ministry, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) will feature welcoming remarks by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun which will be followed by keynote speeches under the theme “Caribbean’s response to COVID-19 and its outlook for future” by CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque and ACS Secretary-General Rodolfo Sabonge.

o In Session 1 to be held under the theme “The Era of Post COVID-19 and Public Health” (moderator: Ambassador for Global Health Security Lee Jong-koo), participants from the Ministry of Health & Wellness of Barbados, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the Seoul National University Hospital will make presentations and take part in a discussion. In Session 2 to be held under the theme “The Era of Post COVID-19 and Food Security” (moderator: Seoul National University Professor Kim Tae-kyoon), participants from Jamaica’s Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the ROK’s Rural Development Administration (RDA), and the Academy of Korean Studies will make presentations.

2. The ROK and Caribbean countries have traditionally worked together on the international stage including the United Nations. The two sides have cooperated on climate change, disaster response, energy, tourism, and e-government through the High-Level Forum, dialogue mechanisms, and development cooperation projects, and will continue to closely cooperate in responding to COVID-19.

3. The High-Level Forum on the Korea-Caribbean Partnership which marks its tenth anniversary this year is expected to serve as a timely opportunity to discuss ways of cooperation tailored to specific needs in the fields of public health and food security that have become Caribbean countries’ biggest challenge since the COVID-19 pandemic and explore visions for future cooperation between the ROK and the Caribbean region, thereby taking post-COVID-19 cooperation between the two sides one step further.

o In addition, the upcoming Forum will be broadcast live online through the social network channel of the Foreign Ministry’s Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau (YouTube Keyword: Latin Plaza by MOFA KR) and is thus expected to help enhance Koreans’ understanding and awareness on the Caribbean region and the direction of ROK-Caribbean cooperation.