Advancing Practical Cooperation in Asia-Pacific: Korea–UN ESCAP Partnership Development

- Director-General for International Economic Affairs Participates in 36th Korea-ESCAP Annual Consultation (September 11) -

1. The 36th Korea-United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)* Annual Consultation was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, with Director-General for International Economic Affairs Kim Jihee and Director of the Strategy and Programme Management Division Adnan Aliani leading the Korean and ESCAP delegations, respectively.

* As one of the five regional commissions under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), ESCAP serves as a central platform for promoting development and cooperation in the economic and social fields across the Asia-Pacific region. UNESCAP has 53 full member states including the United States, China, Japan and Russia, as well as 9 associate members.

2. Since 2007, Korea has been the largest donor to ESCAP, actively contributing to it through development cooperation projects in various sectors including information and communications technology (ICT), environment and transport. Korea also hosts and operates the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT) and the ESCAP Sub-regional Office for East and North-East Asia (SRO-ENEA) in Songdo, Incheon. In particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strengthened the Korea-ESCAP partnership by continuously identifying and implementing cooperation projects aligned with needs of Korea's priority regions and sectors with the Korea-ESCAP Cooperation Fund (KECF)*.

* Since the establishment of the KECF under an MOU signed in 1987, Korea has contributed a total of approximately 15 million USD and supported over 200 projects over more than 30 years. Currently, three projects are underway.

3. At the 36th Korea-ESCAP Annual Consultation held this year, the two sides reviewed the progress and achievements in the ongoing cooperation projects, identified new potential ones, and discussed ways to further strengthen collaboration.

4. During the Consultation, Director-General Kim reaffirmed Korea's commitment to bolstering cooperation with ESCAP. Director Aliani extended appreciation to Korea for its active contribution to Asia-Pacific developing countries' efforts for development in diverse areas including climate change and digital transition. He went on to note that efforts will be made for successful collaboration in and results from Korea-ESCAP cooperation projects.

5. Following the Consultation, Director-General Kim met with UN ESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary Lin Yang. Director-General Kim emphasized that sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region remains a steadfast policy priority under the new Korean administration. She added that Korea's key deliverables as the Chair of APEC* 2025 - "Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence" and "Response to Demographic Changes" - could proceed to discussions on regional cooperation at the 82nd ESCAP Commission session next year, asking for ESCAP's active support and engagement in that regard.

* Of the 21 APEC member economies, 16 are also members of ESCAP (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Viet Nam and Hong-Kong China).

6. The Annual Consultation served as an opportunity to comprehensively review the progress in cooperation with ESCAP, Korea's key partner in the economic and social development of the Asia-Pacific amidst the rapidly changing international cooperation environment. It also provided a meaningful forum for in-depth discussions with ESCAP on ways to enhance the effectiveness of Korea-ESCAP cooperation projects which are making steady progress across multiple sectors. The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen practical cooperation to contribute to the region's economic development. Going forward, the Korean government will continue to deepen its cooperation with ESCAP and other key regional partners that have played a role in the economic and social development of the region, thereby expanding its contribution to the international community.