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In 2000, the United Nations General
Assembly adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
and thereby committed the international community to
the task of halving the number of people living in absolute
poverty by 2015. The MDGs call for a global partnership
to lift societies out of poverty and create a better
future for humanity.
In Korea, we know the misery and
pain of poverty because less than half a century ago,
our country was among the world’s most impoverished.
Korea has overcome many of the adversities and challenges
that developing countries are struggling with today,
and as an emerging donor, we believe our most valuable
asset is our own experience of making the transition
from poverty-stricken country to OECD member. At KOICA,
we also believe that our partner countries have the
potential to attain their development goals and improve
their quality of life through the achievement of the
MDGs. Reflecting on our own experience; we have learnt
that country ownership of the development process is
essential for success. Therefore, we seek to offer assistance
in line with the development priorities of partner countries;
we want to empower our partners by sharing our own development
experience while allowing them to decide how and where
to apply it.
Since its establishment in 1991,
the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has
been responsible for Korea’s grant aid program and
has played a critical role in Korea’s implementation
of Official Development Assistance (ODA). Over the past
few years, KOICA has strived to join the global efforts
to increase the effectiveness of foreign aid. For instance,
KOICA has devised the Country Assistance Strategies
(CAS) and the Mid-term Assistance Strategies in close
consultation with partner countries, and has also introduced
various instruments for a result-based management system.
Moreover, for a greater focus on aid provision, we have
narrowed down the list of partner countries and concentrated
our resources on sectors in which Korea has expertise.
With these changes, we have made significant progress
in embracing a more partner-oriented and result-based
approach to development cooperation.
At the same time, in order to build
a sustainable domestic foundation for assistance, KOICA
has strengthened efforts to raise public awareness and
promote partnerships with civil society. KOICA will
continue to endeavor to create and expand a platform
for the Korean public to take part in international
development.
I believe Korea now faces both exciting
challenges and great opportunities in development cooperation.
At this critical juncture, I can assure you that we
stand ready to fulfill our mission as Korea’s government
aid agency. Through dialogues and active partnerships
with other donors and partner countries, we will continue
to share and utilize Korea’s know-how in socio-economic
development toward “Making a Better World Together.”
President of KOICA
Park Dae-won
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