South Korea Targets Innovation and Inclusiveness to Attain UN Development Goals

A vice foreign minister said on Wednesday that South Korea will focus on aiming for inclusive growth of delicate countries and innovative partnerships with the private sector as it joins the implementation of the international community of the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.

The Korea Herald reported what Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul said during the 10 Seoul ODA International Conference in Seoul. The vice foreign minister stated, "The ratio of people living in extreme poverty on less than $1.25 per day vis-a-vis the overall population of the globe fell from 36 percent in 1990 to 12 percent in 2015."

He further added in connection to the challenges that the international community is dealing with in the worldwide development front, "However, the progress has been uneven across countries, regions, and social classes, and problems still persist, such as climate change, gender inequality, and the gap between the rich and the poor within and among countries."

In 2015, the United Nations followed a new set of agenda items for global development called Sustainable Development Goals, and will be continuously adopted until 2030.

Cho said, "We need to increase our support for fragile states and vulnerable groups to achieve inclusive growth across the globe."

The awareness of inclusiveness was the main focus when the country launched the Better Life for Girls Initiative, an assistance program to help girls in developing countries. Cho explained, "Under this initiative, the Korean government will allocate $200 million for the next five years to provide wider education opportunities for girls in developing countries, build a girls-friendly health and hygiene environment, and support efforts of the local communities to promote gender awareness. We believe that providing quality education for girls in developing countries is the best investment for securing a sustainable future."

In order to secure financing for the successful implementation of the SDGs, the vice foreign minister said that innovative partnerships with the private sector are essential.

He said, "An innovative approach that goes beyond business as usual is critical. Such partnerships will not only create value for the companies but also contribute to improving the economic and social environment of their partner developing countries. Above all, a government-wide, integrated approach is necessary to ensure that the policies of all government agencies are well-coordinated to contribute to the implementation of the SDGs."

The ODA conference will last for two days and started in Seoul on Wednesday. The conference is held with the theme "Looking Back and Moving Forward," and gathered together global leaders, civil groups, and experts to discuss visions and experiences on global development.