Opening Remarks
by H.E. Yun Byung-se
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Busan Global Partnership Workshop

November 6, 2014

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Next year, a new framework for development cooperation will take shape. And in step with this, the international community is now rallying to “make poverty history.”

Indeed, our generation is the first in world history where ending extreme poverty in all its forms has come into the realm of the possible.

That possibility can be translated into reality – but only if all players share the same vision, the same solidarity.

And as part of such noble endeavors of the international community, we have gathered here today under the banner of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, or the Busan Global Partnership.

The Busan Global Partnership offers us a platform for translating our visions – of banishing poverty and attaining sustainable development – into action on the ground.

The Busan Global Partnership is underpinned by four common principles : country ownership; focus on results; inclusive partnerships and; transparency and mutual accountability. These are the very principles that have allowed it to be embraced as part of the landscape in such a short time span.

A key moment in this process was the 1st High Level Meeting in Mexico City last April. The Meeting was a great success, and its results were truly encouraging.

At that time, 1,500 development partners gathered to adopt twenty-eight action plans and thirty-nine voluntary initiatives.

It showcased the Busan Global Partnership as a model of a ‘renewed partnership’ for the post-2015 development framework.

And it highlighted the strength of the action-oriented and evidence-based Busan Partnership, through the results of the first Global Progress Report on the implementation of the Busan commitments.

But there is no reason our efforts should stop with Mexico. Which is why at that Meeting, I announced the Korean government would host the Busan Global Partnership Annual Workshop – to help the Busan Partnership take deeper roots and grow on.

That announcement in Mexico City has led to today’s inaugural Workshop. For me personally, this is a gratifying occasion. So once again, let me thank the Mexican government for their magnificent work in making the High Level Meeting a success. I also feel honored that the Busan Partnership members are showing such strong support for our initiative. And I really appreciate the UNDP, the OECD, KOICA and Ewha Womans University for organizing this event.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today’s workshop has three objectives.

First, is making this Workshop a knowledge incubator connected to fieldwork.

Over the next two days, the Workshop will see a flurry of knowledge sharing, helping us accumulate qualitative data from the field. In turn, this will enable us to interpret and complement the quantitative data harvested from global monitoring.

Such an evidence-based approach will prove that the Busan Partnership works on the ground as the best method for reinforcing development effectiveness.

Second, is using it as an institutional bridge for the Busan Partnership.

The Busan Partnership has an existing structure – the Steering Committee, limited to 24 members; and the High Level Meetings, held on a biennial basis. But the Workshop can fill the gaps of these formal structures. As you can see, today we have a stellar array of about one hundred fifty policy makers and practitioners – attending what will be an annual gathering. The Workshop can, and will, be an asset to the Busan Partnership.

Last but not least, is contributing to the post-2015 development agenda.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a landmark achievement. But that fact should not blind us to its limitations in adapting to new realities.
The emergence of diverse partners’ roles and responsibilities is an important shift in the development architecture since the launch of the MDGs – but one which the MDG framework has been slow to accommodate.

And the fragmented approach of the MDGs’ implementation has left us with an array of unmet targets – not to mention the exacerbating inequality issues between countries, regions, classes, and genders.

On the plus side, this has led to a surge of interest in setting up a more inclusive and effective post-2015 development partnership. The focus of the current discussions on the post-2015 agenda is not only on the “what” but also on the “how.” How do we get rid of poverty? How do we achieve sustainable development?

In this context, the Busan Global Partnership is capturing attention as a pragmatic, practical “enabling framework.” A Working Group connecting the UN Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) and the Busan Partnership for a synergic solution has been set up already. Next April, we are hoping to see the first fruits of these joint efforts at the UN Development Cooperation Forum High Level Symposium to be held in Korea.

Distinguished guests,

I still have fresh memories of the question I was asked by a BBC presenter last April : “how did you get from Busan to Mexico?”

So this is my answer: it was the collective will and resolve of each and every one of us.
All of us who want to see off poverty from the face of this earth.
All of us who want to see development that really packs a punch.
All of us who want the rewards of development shared by those suffering from extreme poverty and underdevelopment.

This is what has propelled us on the journey – not just from Busan to Mexico, but all the way back from Rome to Busan to Mexico.

It may have been a rather long journey, but on the way it has opened up new vistas. It has given us new concepts, leading to behavioral changes on the ground. It has steered us to the direction of respecting country-ownership; of partnerships based on real solidarity between development stakeholders; and of quality results by staying accountable to one another.

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said, quote, “the true measure of success of the UN is not how much we promise, but how much we deliver for those who need us most,” unquote. To my mind, this is also a valid point for the post-2015 development framework, as well as for the role of the Busan Global Partnership.

Today and tomorrow, I truly hope everyone here will share their experience, their knowledge, and the inclusive spirit of Busan – for better development cooperation, and for a happier world.

Thank you. /End/