1. In his pre-recorded opening statement at the “Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination” co-hosted by the Korean government and UNESCO in a hybrid online and offline format on the morning of March 22, Paris time, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jongmoon underscored the need to immediately respond to racial discrimination, which undermines human dignity, as well as the need for the international community to further step up relevant cooperation.

° The Forum brought together UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, OECD Secretary-General Ángel Gurría and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Forest Whitaker, among others.

° The participants of the opening ceremony extended appreciation to Korea and UNESCO for their leadership against racial discrimination, called for a halt to racial discrimination, and emphasized that the people across the world should be united in fostering an environment free of racial discrimination.

2. In the Forum, Vice Minister Choi stressed that given the upsurge of racial discrimination since the spread of COVID-19, this is a time for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to counter all forms of discrimination with a renewed sense of determination, conveying will for solidarity with the international community.

° The Vice Minister pointed out that as behaviors including hate speech, discrimination and violence not only are inhuman but also damage international cooperation necessary for responding effectively to the COVID-19 crisis, the elimination of racism and discrimination is a pressing task to tackle.

° The Vice Minister mentioned that education is needed to fight against prejudice and hatred, particularly attaching significance to Global Citizenship Education (GCED), through which universal values such as humanism, tolerance, and respect for diversity can be learned and practiced.

° The Vice Minister, calling racism and discrimination a challenge which requires an immediate response, mentioned that there is a need, more than ever, for international cooperation and the support of multilateral institutions including UNESCO.

3. The Forum consists of a total of four panel discussions, during which 21 panelists, including high-level officials of governments and international organizations, people from political and academic circles, and human rights activists, are discussing “how to establish anti-racist policies: policymakers at the forefront of the global fight against racism,” “how to deconstruct racism to construct an anti-racist culture: examining new forms of racism,” “how to promote a gender-transformative approach: fighting stereotypes, prejudices and discriminations” and “how to cultivate a global multi-stakeholder anti-racism partnership: enhancing interculturaldialogue, inclusion and diversity.”

° From Korea, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission Choi Young-ae will join the minister-level panel 1, while Director of the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding Lim Hyun Mook will participate in panel 2, which will be composed of academic figures. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Korea to UNESCO Kim Dong Gi will deliver the closing speech.

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the launch of the “Group of Friends for Solidarity and Inclusion with Global Citizenship Education” in UNESCO in May 2020 with the purpose to fight hate and discrimination triggered by COVID-19 and to promote relevant international solidarity and cooperation, and the Forum was held as part of the Group’s activities.

° Amid the rise of racial discrimination as an international issue, Korea, by co-hosting the Forum with UNESCO, is seen to have led relevant discussions, thereby enhancing its leadership and the visibility of its contribution.

5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to highlight the significance of GCED by supporting diverse activities of the Group of Friends and strengthen solidarity and cooperation with the international community in tackling hate and discrimination.