외교부

In this regard, I cannot overemphasize the importance of the two Commissions’ consideration of involding government policy makers and other stakeholders into their research process, by holding, for example, capacity-building seminars on economic connectivity and inequality on the margins of the upcoming FEALAC meetings next year. The need for such an event was also underlined at the FEALAC TITM Seminar on Trade and SMEs co-hosted by Korea and Argentina in Seoul this September. At the seminar, participants concurred on the need to provide support for SMEs in their pursuit of inclusive economic growth, stressing that it will in turn lead to reduce inequality and facilitate connectivity. In this sense, capacity-building seminars organized by the two Commissions on the two themes would serve as an excellent complementary exercise to the on-going researches on these two challenges by incorporating the views of government policy makers and other various stakeholders in their studies.

Mr. Co-chair,

The two studies were made possible through the financing of the FEALAC Fund, as we all know. The Fund established last year realized our long-aspired dream of having our own sustainable funding mechanism. I believe it is imperative that we further garner the political will to scale up the FEALAC Trust Fund through more active participation and financial contributions by members. 

The two projects have indeed brought members closer together in cooperating on areas of shared interest. Yet still only seven member countries are playing a decision-making role in charting the path that the Fund travels. To ensure that the Fund has even greater relevance, I would urge a greater number of members to serve on the Steering Committee for the Fund.

For its part, as a key donor member of the Steering Committee, Korea will continue to play a leading role for the success of the Fund. I look forward to our collective efforts indeed yielding great fruit on the path ahead. Thank you. /End/