1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the 16th Korea-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Annual Policy Consultation in New York on December 1st, 2021. The Korean and UNDP head delegates to the Consultation were Director-General for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cho Yeong-moo and Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy Ulrika Modeer, respectively.

2. During the Policy Consultation, the two sides exchanged views on Korea’s policies on development cooperation and the UNDP’s strategic plan; strengthening cooperation in the areas of climate change and HDP Nexus implementation; the progress in the UNDP’s key projects supported by Korea, including those in the fields of the UN Human Development Report and the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation; cooperation projects in Afghanistan and Myanmar; and ways to increase Korea’s representation in the UNDP.

° The two sides discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership through cooperation projects in countries vulnerable to climate change and conflicts, based on the Korean government’s strategies on the Green New Deal ODA and the HDP Nexus Implementation and the UNDP’s new 2022-2025 Strategic Plan that were adopted this year.

° The UNDP side, expressing gratitude to the Korean government for supporting the UNDP’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, hoped to expand its cooperation in strategic innovation and digitalization with Korea.  

3. Following the Policy Consultation, on December 3rd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to hold a meeting of the UNDP Seoul Policy Center Steering Committee in New York, co-chaired by Director-General for Development Cooperation Cho Yeong-moo and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support Haoliang Xu.

° The Steering Committee will review the activities of the Seoul Policy Center, including the “SDG Partnerships project” providing policy advice and technical support to developing countries by drawing upon Korea’s experience in development and outstanding policies; and discuss ways to reinforce the knowledge-sharing activities of the Seoul Policy Center, which celebrates the 10^th anniversary of its opening this year.