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[as of 6 Oct. 17:50]
National Statement for the Plenary Session of the 200th EXB
7 October 2016 (16:00-16:30, subject to change)
Mr. Chairman, Madame Director General, distinguished Delegates, dear colleagues,
(도입 : 유네스코의 도전 및 과제, 그리고 기대)
As we all agree, the year 2016 is very important. It is the first year to implement our collective assignments, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement for climate change. It is also a crucial period for UNESCO, initiating the long process to establish the Program and Budget 39 C/5, while aligning it to the SDGs and maintaining its consistency with the Mid-term Strategy under the financial hardship.
The current situation places UNESCO and Member States alike in a most challenging position. However, I am convinced that our experience and wisdom can enable us to turn these challenges into opportunity if we get our acts together and think more proactively. We can take current financial difficulties as a good opportunity to enhance flexibility and efficiency of the Organization.
(유네스코 노력 평가 및 제언)
I would like to start by applauding UNESCO for its continuous efforts to improve its effectiveness and performance through prioritization of its programs and streamlining its governance, in the midst of on-going financial constraints.
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We are now discussing the 39 C/5 with the wide recognition of its programs. It is important that we reach a consensus on the budget ceiling. Yet, it is also crucial to find out the way to increase ‘total resources available’, by making the best use of the newly introduced Structured Financing Dialogue(SFD) and the Integrated Budget Framework(IBF). Furthermore, it is vital to seek other innovative funding methods to secure additional resources.
I believe that it is imperative for UNESCO to maintain its efforts to improve efficiency and transparency of the Organization, in order to economize scarce resources. Trying its best to avoid duplication among programs, and setting up an elaborate mechanism for monitoring, evaluation and feedbacks could be some of the means to attain those objectives.
In the face of tasks ahead of us, I would like to emphasize UNESCO’s commitment to fostering the inclusive multi-stakeholder partnerships, as well as taking integrated and inter-sectoral approaches.
(한국 정부의 기여 소개)
With the two global priorities Africa and Gender Equality in mind, the Republic of Korea has initiated a number of collaborative projects with UNESCO. To name but a few, Better life for Girls, BEAR (Better Education for Africa’s Rise) project, ICT transforming education in Africa, Global Citizenship Education, and Bridging Learning Gaps for Youth (for Syrian refugees). These projects are especially focused on the
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vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and LDCs. I hope that those projects can contribute not only to making the world a better place, but also to achieving the 2030 Agenda.
In addition to these projects, as Director General Madam Bokova rightly mentioned this morning, our local governments and NGOs are also actively involved in the cooperative programs with UNESCO such as the project entitled Pedagogical Supports based on African Cultural Heritage in Post-conflict Situations. This is to produce notebooks for students in Mali. I expect that this kind of initiatives can help sensitize the African youth to their cultural heritage.
(문화) We are deeply concerned about unprecedented threats like heritage vandalism. Protecting and preserving cultural heritage and cultural diversity is our duty and responsibility for the future generation who will inherit each tradition and identity. The Government of the Republic of Korea is making endeavors to achieve this goal through Fund-in-Trust projects for Bamiyan Cultural Center in Afghanistan and Tuol Sleng (투울슬랭) Genocide Museum in Cambodia together with a capacity building project for developing countries in World Heritage.
To further our commitment in Culture, I am pleased to announce that we have expressed our intention to hold the 12th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017 in Korea.
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(자연과학) In the field of Natural Sciences, heightened attention has been given to the Internationally Designated Areas in recent years, such as World Heritage, Geoparks, and Biosphere Reserves. The Government of the Republic of Korea is ready to work with the Secretariat and other Member States to coordinate the management of those sites facing many challenges.
(정보커뮤니케이션) For Communication and Information, among various projects, we consider the establishment of digital archive essential to preserve our documentary heritage as well as to educate future generation. As a staunch advocate of the Memory of the World program, my government will continue its contribution and support for the development of the program. Considering the importance of MOW and expansion of its workload, I would like to emphasize that its human resources should be strengthened in principle with experienced regular staff.
(맺음말)
Dear colleagues,
I am fully persuaded that UNESCO will overcome current challenges with creative thinking and insight under the able leadership of Director General, Madam Bokova.
In this journey, the Republic of Korea will strengthen partnerships with UNESCO and member states, and promise to fully implement the SDGs and other global initiatives. Thank you
