1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong attended the 15th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which takes place in a virtual format from October 3 to 7.

o UNCTAD 15 is the first major international conference on trade and development since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the session, the participants will discuss ways to tackle global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and the digital divide, to recover better and to pursue development through trade under the theme of “From Inequality and Vulnerability to Prosperity for All.”

2. Foreign Minister Chung delivered a pre-recorded statement on October 5, Geneva time. In his statement, Foreign Minister Chung expressed the ROK government’s commitment to achieve a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future in the post-COVID-19 era.

o Foreign Minister Chung emphasized the importance of ensuring fair and equitable access to vaccines and explained Korea’s contribution to the COVAX AMC and health assistance to over 120 countries to respond to COVID-19.

o In addition, Foreign Minister Chung stressed that inclusiveness should be enhanced to reduce inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and trade is a powerful tool to promote economic recovery. He said that the ROK will continue to support vulnerable groups such as women and informal workers to strengthen their capacity.

o Furthermore, Foreign Minister Chung introduced Korea’s contribution for sustainable development such as hosting of the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit and its plan to expand climate and green ODA, and requested international support for the ROK’s bid to host COP28 in 2023.

3. The Republic of Korea, a responsible member of UNCTAD that has grown into the 10th largest economy in the world through trade, will continue its contribution to respond to global challenges.