His Excellency Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

His Excellency Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission,

His Excellency Simbarache Mumbengegwi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe,

Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,

I am most delighted to address the Fourth Africa-Korea Forum, the first of its kind to be held on the African continent since its inception a decade ago in 2006.

I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission for the excellent arrangement and the heartfelt hospitality extended to me and my delegation.

At the welcoming dinner last night, I outlined some key achievements made over the past decade in the Korea-Africa relations including the three Forums we have had so far. With the inauguration of my government in 2013, this partnership witnessed steady yet significant advancements in diverse areas.

In particular, this year was indeed “The Year of Africa” for Korean diplomacy as I predicted at the beginning of the year.

Most importantly, my President made her first visit to Africa in May. In order to carry the momentum of her Africa policy forward, she presented here at the AU headquarters the “Blueprint for Comprehensive Cooperation with Africa.”

Economic cooperation, development cooperation, and building peace and security were the three key areas she proposed to support Africa’s common efforts to realize “Agenda 2063” for “Integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa” in keeping with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

First, on economic cooperation, a number of important events are already being held as a follow up to her visit. My government successfully hosted the Fifth Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference (KOAFEC) in Seoul in October and is now planning to hold the Korea-Africa Industry Cooperation Forum (KOAFIC) next week.

At the KOAFEC conference, Korea pledged a 5 billion dollar development assistance package for Africa. We aim to double this package to 10 billion dollars in the longer term.

Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank to be held in Korea in 2018 will further strengthen our cooperation in the implementation of the “High-5s” strategy on Africa’s key development tasks.

Second, such new initiatives are reinforcing our commitment for development cooperation focused on Africa. Korea doubled its official development assistance (ODA) to Africa over the recent years. In particular, my government will also increase the proportion of bilateral ODA to African countries from 24 percent to 35 percent by 2020.

As we speak, our commitments are already being translated into concrete actions, particularly in the areas of healthcare, rural development and education.

Korea dispatched its disaster relief team to help contain the Ebola epidemic in West Africa two years ago. We will continue our contribution in the international community's efforts to eradicate infectious diseases by providing 200 million dollars for the next five years.

Korea’s Saemaul Undong, the rural development program that helped transform the Korean economy, is starting to take root and spread across Africa.

Education is perhaps the single most important area where Korea focuses its development cooperation on. As Madiba stressed, I quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” unquote. As a follow up to my President’s visit in May, 6,000 talented Africans will be invited for education and training in either Korea or Africa over the next five years. On our part, 4,000 Korean youth volunteers will be working on the grounds in Africa.

Moreover, the Korean government presented the "better life for girls" plan and will provide 200 million dollars for girls in developing countries, especially including countries in Africa.

Third, in view of the grim security situation in my part of the world, the Republic of Korea is well aware that peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Any economic achievement can easily disappear within moments once violent conflicts erupt.


In this connection, Korea began contributing to the AU Peace Fund this year and will continue to do so. I am pleased to inform you that a level-two medical facility will be set up in Mali using this Fund to enhance Africa’s peace-keeping capabilities.

Besides, 300 Korean troops are stationed in South Sudan under UNMISS since 2013. The Korean government is now considering an additional PKO deployment in Africa.

Korea has actively taken part in the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) ever since its creation. Apart from financial contributions, our navy is participating in the counter-piracy operations under Combined Martime Forces (CMF).

As much as peace and security in Africa is intertwined with the rest of the world, so is the North Korean nuclear and missile development. With North Korea fast approaching its final stage of nuclear weaponization, and with two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile launches this year alone, the threat goes well beyond the Korean Peninsula.

It is with this sense of urgency and gravity that the UN Security Council adopted another milestone resolution 2321 last week along with resolution 2270 adopted in March.

It is in this regard that some 120 countries and major international bodies including the AU condemned North Korea’s reckless provocations. I take this opportunity to appreciate the substantial measures taken by a number of African countries. I look forward to working closely with you all to fully implement the universal obligations as set forth in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Distinguished Participants,

Let me close by quoting from one of my favorite African proverbs: “A friend is someone you share the path with.” This indeed befits the spirit of Korea-Africa Forum promoting mutually beneficial partnership.

In this regard, I believe today’s discussion will be instrumental in finding our shared path towards peace, prosperity and human dignity. Your vision and wisdom will indeed serve as a beacon as we prepare our next Forum. Thank you. /END/