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Distinguished guests from home and abroad,
Let me first welcome you all to Korea where the beautiful colors of late autumn are painting the landscape.
Autumn is the season for harvest and gratitude. Only a week ago, leaders at the G20 Seoul Summit made a united step forward toward sustainable growth of the global economy. For those of you here today who are from non-G20 member countries, allow me to reassure you that Korea did its best to represent voices of all the countries to build a fair global community. Hence, I have been spending this week filled with deep gratitude for many blessings presented during this special season.
Autumn is also the season for meditation and this Asian Development Cooperation Meeting comes at this opportune time to reflect on Asia's past, present, and future. Donor and recipient countries in Asia and members of international organizations will contemplate ways on how to improve development effectiveness.
4 Juhhwlqjv= In the midst of Late Autumn
Winter in Korea is bitter cold compared to other countries on the same latitude. Such freezing weather, in my mind, is what made Koreans so resilient to crisis, and this consequently transformed Korea from once one of the poorest country into the first and only country to join the OECD DAC in November last year.
This winter, Korea will be under another La Nina () cold spell. However, when I were to look back on this moment in the future, I will always cherish it as the year when the winter was as warm as it could get, as it was when the world endorsed "Seoul Development Consensus for Shared Growth" and the "Multi-Year Action Plan".
Building upon this consensus, our new task will be developing measures that go beyond "aid effectiveness"
to attain "development effectiveness", so that sustainable growth of developing countries is ensured. I am convinced that with right measures, developing countries will, in no time, turn into a source of the world's sustainable growth.
5 J053 Ghyhorsphqw Djhqgd:
It was a warm winter, in my mind
Asia, once known as the cradle of the four great ancient civilizations, had generated more than half of the global GDP until 1870 when modernization just began. I dare to say Asia was the Continent of glory.
However, Asia's footing in the global economy was overtaken by the West which underwent modernization and industrialization.
Undeterred, however, Asia grew rapidly over the last few decades with abundant labor force, diligent people, high capital inflow and relentless efforts to innovate national and social systems. Some experts forecast Asia's GDP will exceed that of the G7 and account for 40 percent of the global economy by 2030.
Current economic conditions, however, are not rosy. The global economy is still surrounded by uncertainties.
However, being an optimist, I listen to the Voices of Spring by Johann Strauss, with hope that spring for the Asian economy will be just around the corner.
6 Ghyhorsphqw Frrshudwlrq lq Dvld= Voices of Spring
If Asia is to redeem its former glory, all stakeholders must reinforce development cooperation with emphasis on the following points.
First, Asian countries and multilateral development banks should increase partnership to find the ideal development cooperation model for Asia. Through greater South-South cooperation, we need to put in place "Trans-Asia Development Experience Sharing System" where emerging donor countries can share their development expertise with recipient countries.
Given this, I think the recommendation to expand knowledge sharing to the Task Team of South-South Cooperation at the G-20 Seoul Summit was proper and timely.
Second, Asian countries must pull their efforts together to address imminent challenges. We need unified, continued, and consolidated efforts by Asia to cope with climate change, strengthen weak social safety net and fortify vulnerable financial systems.
Third, countries should also join efforts to implement development agendas agreed upon at the G-20 Seoul Summit.
That includes basic assistance to enhance export capabilities of low income countries by guaranteeing non-tariff and non-quota treatments and strengthening their trade capacities. At the same time, we should endeavor to develop specific measures to expand regional investment in infrastructure and to nurture a highly-skilled workforce.
I am certain our efforts will unleash Asia's growth potential and restore resilience of economic growth in Asia which was hampered during the global financial crisis. We will soon see Asia return to the glorious days.
Now that brings us to summer. Summer in Korea is hot and humid. To cool off the summer heat, I sometimes dream of white summer Christmas. But, I guess some of you actually live that dream. Well, minus the snow.
Regardless of weather, we need the Christmas spirit of
‘giving’ as we've seen at the G-20 Seoul Summit. I hope the Asian Development Cooperation Meeting will bear the same fruit of success and become a regular gathering. Allow me to close by requesting your enthusiasm and support for the HLF-4 Meeting to be held next autumn in Seoul. Thank you.
7 Forvlqj= Midsummer Christmas
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4 Rshqlqj
Distinguished guests both at home and abroad,
It is indeed a beautiful autumn night in Korea, especially in the heels of the successful G20 Summit Meeting in Seoul gathered under the theme of 'Shared Growth Beyond Crisis'.
As a fellow Asian, it is a great honor and privilege to be here with you all who represent and work for the advancement of Asia. The Seoul G20 Summit Meeting carries great historical significance for Asia as it elevated not only Korea's standing but the standing of whole Asia in the global society.
Although only 20 countries participated in the Summit, Korea fulfilled its role as a bridge between developed and developing countries by securing official endorsement of the Seoul Development Consensus for Shared Growth.
Thanks to your continued and active support, Korea was faithful to represent the interests of the whole world. Its voice was not confined to 1/20th of the G20 Summit.
5 Dvld*v Vwdwxv
There is a business joke that well expresses the current pride of Asia.
An Ivy League professor of automotive engineering threw the following question to his students, "If you were a car, what kind of car would you be?"
Most of the students had the usual answers. One student said he would be a porsche( ) because he runs as fast as a porsche. Another one said a mustang( ) because he was chic( ) and good-looking like a mustang. But then, a student from Asia replied that he would be a Hyundai car. Unable to think of a reason, the professor asked the student why, and the student replied, "I am from Asia, just like Hyundai."
The student further added that Hyundai, which is from Asia like him, had great resilience to overcome crisis as well as potential to become a world's best, and provided a long-time warranty service to its customers based on trust.
6 Dvld*v Wdnh rii lqwr Ehwwhu Wrpruurz
I am telling you this joke not to promote a certain brand but to share the strong kinship among resilient Asians who have got over many hurdles together, the pride of Asians who are making great achievements day by day, and Asia's passion and visions for better tomorrow.
Over ten years ago, a financial tsunami struck Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand. In 2008, another tsunami, the strongest since the Great Depression, swept through Asia once again. This time, however, we have received much attention for our success in overcoming the crisis which hit the whole world. This demonstrated the resilience of Asians against crisis.
In the midst of slow economic recoveries in developed countries this year, Asia is leading growth in the global economy. According to the State of the Future report of the UN Millenium Project, of the top ten key words for megatrends in 2020, Rise of Asia is number one. We Asians should take much pride in this.
However, we must continue our efforts to march towards world class Asia, beginning with concerted efforts to scale down the number of people living in poverty. Shared growth should be the right answer and our ultimate goal.
With this in mind, it is very meaningful that the Asian donor countries, together with recipient countries, international ODA organizations, and members of academia, will be participating in the first ever Asian Development Cooperation Meeting tomorrow.
I sincerely hope that you all will use this valuable opportunity to reach a consensus on the direction of Asian development cooperation and identify the most suitable development model for Asia so that we may all be better equipped to cope with changes surrounding international development assistance.
7 Forvlqj
Already, fall is coming to a close and making way for winter's arrival. I look upon the falling leaves of autumn as prelude for the spring. We Asians who weathered all the storms and risks together have realized the true meaning of friendship. Now is the best time to tell that our friendship is solider than ever.
On the occasion of this meeting, I sincerely hope that you all will look back on the difficulties we faced together and look into avenues for much more prosperous tomorrow which we can achieve together as close friends. Thank you.
