ODA in the Digital Era

OECD Spotlights KOICA's Approach to Digitalization

- KOICA's digitalization approach highlighted in OECD's flagship report for development cooperation

- KOICA aims for digitalization of development cooperation projects, drawing on Korea's experience in digital transformation 

KOICA's efforts to narrow the digital gap and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are garnering attention from the international community. 

*The SDGs were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action, with the aim of implementation by 2030. They are comprised of 17 goals including quality education, reduced inequalities, gender equality, and climate action among others, and 169 targets. 

*KOICA: Korea International Cooperation Agency

The OECD shed light on KOICA's strategic approach to digital transformation in partner countries in the Development Cooperation Report (DCR), the organization's annual flagship report on development cooperation, KOICA said on January 10. 

*OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

*Development Cooperation Report 2021, "Shaping a Just Digital Transformation," OECD, December 2021

This report provides key issues and trends in international development cooperation for OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member countries and the international community more broadly. The theme of the 2021 report is "Shaping a Just Digital Transformation." 

The report features an article titled "KOICA's Dual Approach to Digitalization," which outlines KOICA's approach to digital transformation in partner countries. This approach involves:

a Digital Mainstreaming Strategy, which aims to include a digital component across all sectors of activity;

and a Digital Transition Program, which enables the digital transformation of partner countries in terms of digital government, digital accessibility, digital economy, and digital safety. 

KOICA aims to include a digital component in development cooperation projects of all sectors, including health, education, public governance, and rural development. KOICA is currently carrying out a project in Peru to digitalize the health insurance evaluation system.  

In terms of modality, KOICA plans to boost project efficacy by integrating digital technology in all of its projects including country projects, capacity building for public sector representatives of developing countries, and dispatching overseas volunteers. In 2021, KOICA established an online training platform for public sector representatives of developing countries. The agency is reviewing various plans such as expanding training projects in the ICT (information and communication technologies) fields. 

KOICA also plans to expand projects that support the digital transformation of partner country governments or improve the digital infrastructure of partner countries. Capitalizing on Korea's development experience and strengths in IT (information technology), KOICA plans to strengthen digital inclusion so as to increase internet access for those in developing countries, and support the digitalization of essential public services such as transportation and disaster response.   

For example, the project in Asunción, Paraguay for improving the traffic management system directly contributed to a reduction in the number of traffic accidents from 373 in 2011 to 165 in 2015. It also decreased the average commute time from 42 minutes to 33 minutes. 

"KOICA's Dual Approach to Digitalization" was also introduced on OECD's peer learning platform Development Cooperation TIPs (Tools Insights Practices).

"It gives me great pleasure to see KOICA's approach to digital transformation accepted by the international community," said President of KOICA Sohn Hyuk-Sang. President Sohn added, "Through KOICA's Digital Transformation Strategy, which is now at its starting point, we plan to secure competitiveness for the future and continue our efforts to become a leading global development cooperation agency." 

In 2021, KOICA established a Digital Transformation Strategy (2021-2025) and is striving for digital transformation in both its projects and management. Through organizational reform, KOICA newly installed the Center for Digital Innovation to oversee the agency's digital transformation and digital ODA projects. KOICA is pushing forward with an agency-wide digital transformation by making improvements to its project and agency management system.  

*Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

Established in 1991 to support the economic and social development of developing countries, KOICA is Korea's development cooperation organization that carries out country projects (projects and development consulting), global programs (overseas volunteers, fellowship program, cooperation with international organizations, public-private partnership program, development innovation program), humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and the Global Disease Eradication Fund. 

Photos & Captions

Images of the article "KOICA's Dual Approach to Digitalization," included in the OECD's Development Cooperation Report 2021 and OECD TIPs

Headquarters of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), located in Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do