By UN Journal Kim Ji-eun

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Natalia Kanem on March 6 during the latter’s visit to Korea, where they discussed Korea-UNFPA cooperation.

Foreign Minister Cho appreciated the enhanced partnership between Korea and the UNFPA, including through the first Korea-UNFPA Policy Consultation held last month. 

He went on to express his expectation that Korea, as a member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, will strengthen cooperation with the UNFPA in areas such as the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

Executive Director Kanem expressed her appreciation for the Korean government’s support in preventing and responding to gender-based violence and strengthening sexual and reproductive health in conflict-affected countries, and expressed her commitment to actively support Korea for its successful Security Council membership under its vision to serve as a Global Pivotal State.

Foreign Minister Cho and Executive Director Kanem shared the view that the cooperation between the two sides should lead to tangible results, and agreed to work together to strengthen the monitoring and management of cooperation projects, as well as to increase the representation of Korean nationals in the UNFPA.