열린장관실

Your Excellency Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, distinguished Foreign Ministers, ladies and gentlemen. 앗 쌀람 알레이쿰

Please accept genuine gratitude for the kind invitation extended to me to participate in the ministerial and summit meetings of the League of Arab States.

My participation in this important conference holds much significance. It is the first time for the foreign minister of the Republic of Korea(주무후리야툴 쿠리야) to attend a meeting of the League of Arab States(좌미아툴 두왈 아라비야) at the highest levels.  It also comes on the heels of the recent visit by President Roh Moon-hyun to this region, further underscoring the importance we place on building closer ties with our friends in the League.    

I came to Khartoum, seeing it as an invaluable opportunity to gain deeper understanding of the issues facing the region, and to hear the views of its top leaders on matters of  common concern to both Korea and the Arab world.

The History of Arab-Korean Exchange

I also came with a profound appreciation of the abundant contributions of the Arab people to civilization as we know it.

The history of trade and cultural exchange between Korea and the Arab world dates back more than a thousand years. It was the Arab merchants who first introduced the name "Corea(쿠리야)" to the outside world.

In more recent times, the economic expansion of the Arab region during the 1970s allowed us to forge strong bonds.  Korean companies actively participated in the ensuing construction boom. While joining hands to build roads, buildings and waterways, we built lasting bridges of friendship and cooperation between our peoples.

From trade and economic cooperation to cultural and social exchange, our ties are growing in all areas. In particular, launched in 2003, the Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum has provided a valuable venue to promote mutual understanding. 

Cooperation between the two regions: Peace and Development Issues

Both in this region and in Northeast Asia, the issue of securing peace remains high on the agenda. In Northeast Asia, Korea is sparing no effort to strengthen peace and security on the Korean peninsula, including a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issues through the Six-Party Talks.

I sincerely hope that the strong aspirations of our peoples to live in lasting peace will soon be fully rewarded in both our respective regions.  

Another vital challenge that we must meet together is to translate the commitments of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) into tangible progress around the world.  Poverty reduction, debt relief and increased development assistance should no longer remain just goals but turned into reality through concerted action.  

The Republic of Korea is seeking ways to contribute more to the attainment of the MDGs in those countries that need help the most. 

In this context, we recently launched the Korean Initiative for African Development, which aims at expanding our official development assistance (ODA) to Africa threefold by 2008.  The initiative includes programs to eradicate communicable diseases and improve public health facilities, as well as measures in agricultural assistance, expansion of trade and investment, and human resources development.  

But perhaps the most important lesson we bring to the initiative, something that we learned from our own experience in development, is that political will is essential to sustaining the development momentum.  Thus, it was vital that the political will for the attainment of the MDGs was regenerated through the World Summit at the United Nations in September last year.  

Korea, I assure you, will be a ready partner in sustaining the political will, and more, so that in the target year of 2015, we will all be able to gather at the UN and celebrate the mission accomplished.

            

Korea and the United Nations

For this and other challenges of our times, the Republic of Korea looks to the United Nations as the locus of global consensus-building and action.   Indeed, the UN has a special place in the hearts and minds of Koreans.  Since the founding of our government six decades ago, the UN has been a reliable partner.  The Korean War was the first test of the UN’s commitment to collective security. 

As we emerged from the ravages of war and embarked on the difficult process of rebuilding our country, the UN provided vital assistance, guidance and inspiration at every step. Indeed, the UN has been an integral part of Korea’s recent history.

Today, we feel that  Korea’s own experience in development and coming-of-age in the global community can be put to active use in strengthening the UN and building bridges across its diverse membership. 

Six decades after its founding, having survived the Cold War era, and now faced with the new challenges of the globalizing world, the UN is at a critical juncture. Bold reforms are required in its institutional layout, policy priorities, management of the Secretariat,  and overall organizational culture.

The UN family has embarked on a process of comprehensive reforms. Significant progress has been accomplished already.  But more needs to be done. The next Secretary-General will be expected to further the reform momentum so as to shape the UN into the highly effective and relevant global organization that it needs to be for the 21st century. 

My government's decision to nominate me as a candidate for the next UN Secretary-General reflects an abiding commitment to the United Nations and its on-going work to realize peace, development and human rights for all around the world.

I would be most honored if my candidacy meets with the support of all the leaders and friends here.

Furthermore, as a candidate, I am eager to listen to your views and expectations about the work that awaits the next UN Secretary-General. 

Recently, Secretary-General Kofi Annan came out with his report "Investing in the United Nations". The report contains ambitious proposals for a "radical overhaul of the UN Secretariat" so that the Organization may better undertake the greatly expanded range of activities that the world has come to expect of it.  

Each measure deliberated, adopted and implemented will have far reaching implications for the effectiveness and integrity of the Secretariat on whose performance the future of the UN greatly depends. 

I think what is important is the manner in which the process unfolds. All the member states should demonstrate a clear commitment to a shared goal.

In the end, both member states and staff of the Secretariat, should all be able to say with pride that we have done our best in making the Secretariat an international civil service truly in the service of the international community. This requires astute and consensus -building leadership, which the outgoing and incoming Secretary-General is called upon to provide.

Conclusion

I hope to have the privilege of conversing with as many leaders of the Arab League as possible and to learn from their insights into the vital issues of our common concern.  

My appreciation has greatly deepened for the roots of the Arab world that had connected East and West for thousands of years, relaying knowledge and wisdom from one part of the world to another.  Such connections are needed still, even in today’s world of globalization where distance matters so little.

Korea hopes to play one such bridging role, inspired by the lessons of Arab history and heartened by the encouragement of our Arab friends.  

In closing, please allow me to express, once again, my personal gratitude for your welcome and the warmth of Arab hospitality. I sincerely hope that the leaders of the Arab States will have a very successful meeting for the prosperous and peaceful future of the region.

Thank you (슈크란 좌질란).