1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the 16th Annual Consultation between the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in a virtual format on October 30, 2020. The ROK and UNICEF head delegates to the meeting were Director-General for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cho Yeong-moo and Deputy Executive Director Charlotte Gornitzka, respectively.

2. In the Consultation, the two sides comprehensively reviewed their cooperative relations that have been steadily strengthening, and exchanged views on the policy directions of the ROK and UNICEF regarding development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, including cooperation on response to COVID-19.

° The two sides noted that they have contributed to the international community’s response efforts to COVID-19 in close cooperation from the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. They agreed to carry out a project providing 5 million U.S. dollars worth of in-kind donation to prevent infectious diseases in Africa and Latin America.

° The ROK side took note that outstanding Korean products, including COVID-19 diagnostic kits, have entered UNICEF’s procurement market, and expressed its expectation that Korean products could continue to reinforce their profile and presence in the market.

3. The two sides also noted that they have been contributing to the international community’s efforts to achieve gender equality and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) through the project designed to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) for Rohingya refugees under the “Action with Women and Peace” initiative, as well as “Better Life for Girls” projects.

4. The UNICEF side extended appreciation to the ROK for not only its financial contribution but also its active support for UNICEF activities as a longstanding member of the UNICEF Executive Board, and voiced hope that the two sides would continue to strengthen cooperation in the ROK’s strong areas, including education, healthcare, gender and innovation.

5. The ROK government, in close cooperation with UNICEF, will continue to contribute to promoting the protection, health and education of children and adolescents across the world amid the COVID-19 situation.