Yoon: "Korea to Expand Official Development Assistance... Forms 'CF Alliance' for Carbon-Free Energy Spread"

78th UN General Assembly Keynote Speech
ODA Doubled Compared to 2019... Customized Cooperation
AI Global Forum Held... Direction for Governance Establishment Presented

President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on the 20th (local time) that South Korea will expand the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to help vulnerable countries reduce carbon emissions and transition to clean energy, and will form the Carbon Free Alliance (CF Alliance), an open platform for the spread of carbon-free energy.

In his keynote speech at the 78th United Nations General Assembly held in New York that day, President Yoon stated, "The Republic of Korea will expand green ODA to enable climate-vulnerable countries to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy." This year’s UN General Assembly general debate was held under the theme "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

First, President Yoon made it clear that despite South Korea’s fiscal austerity policy, the official development assistance (ODA) budget will be increased by about 40% next year to strengthen global solidarity. President Yoon explained, "Next year’s Korean ODA budget will be more than double that of 2019," adding, "We will use the expanded ODA funds to promote customized development cooperation tailored to the needs of recipient countries."

Regarding overcoming the climate crisis, he also pledged active contributions and the establishment of a carbon-free energy spread platform. President Yoon said, "We will contribute an additional $300 million to the GCF," and urged, "We expect active financial contributions from the international community to the GCF. I hope the international community’s will to close the climate gap will unite and lead to concrete actions."

President Yoon continued, "As a realistic alternative to accelerate the achievement of carbon neutrality goals, the Republic of Korea will broadly utilize not only renewable energy but also high-efficiency carbon-free energy such as nuclear power and hydrogen," emphasizing, "We intend to form the CF Alliance, an open platform for the spread of carbon-free energy that anyone worldwide can participate in."

He also reiterated South Korea’s commitment to leading in areas such as information and communication technology (ICT) support for digital transformation in developing countries and the formation of global digital norms related to artificial intelligence (AI). President Yoon explained, "We are now witnessing the advancement of digital technology, with all cultures and industries transitioning to a digital-based paradigm. The digital divide means an economic divide," adding, "Therefore, closing the digital divide will facilitate solving global South issues."

President Yoon further stated, "If we fail to stop the spread of fake news caused by the misuse of AI and digital technology, our freedom will be threatened, the market economy based on liberal democracy will be endangered, and our future will also be at risk," and mentioned, "The Republic of Korea plans to soon propose a Digital Bill of Rights to realize a desirable future for digital order."

Additionally, he emphasized, "The Korean government intends to support the establishment of international organizations within the UN, and to hold an 'AI Global Forum' to present concrete directions for AI governance construction. Furthermore, we will closely cooperate with the UN’s ongoing AI high-level advisory body to provide a network for communication and collaboration among experts worldwide."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.