1. On October 20, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with new Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Natalia Kanem, who is on a visit to the ROK, and exchanged views on ways for the ROK and the UNFPA to strengthen cooperation.

2. Vice Minister Cho expressed hope that cooperation between the ROK and the UNFPA will further increase in the area of population policies, as the UNFPA can offer recommendations to not only developing countries but countries with low birth rates and an aging population, including the ROK, based on its expert knowledge in population policies.

o Vice Minister expressed support for the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2018-2021, adopted last month, and said that there will a great potential for cooperation between the two sides in achieving sustainable development goals and gender equality, and promoting education, which are the goals of the Strategic Plan.

3. Executive Director Kanem expressed appreciation for his support for the Strategic Plan 2018-2021, said that the ROK, which achieved economic growth and social development at the same time, has become an exemplary case for African countries, and asked for continued support to developing countries in the area.

o The Executive Director pointed out the importance of policy and social support in overcoming low birth rates, and said that the UNFPA is working to make sure that low birth rates and aging populations are addressed in international arenas.

4. The meeting held during the visit to the ROK by the new UNFPA Executive Director, who was inaugurated in October this year, is seen to serve as an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the ROK and the UNFPA to continue cooperation, and to exchange views on issues between the two sides, including the UNFPA’s new Strategic Plan, and the Fund’s activities regarding population policies.


* unofficial translation