KOICA Holds Briefing on COVID-19 International Cooperation and Digital Transformation Strategies for Diplomats from 8 Countries in Korea

by Lim Chulyoung

Published 13 Nov.2020 12:36(KST)

Presentation of Best Practices in Public Administration

KOICA Holds Briefing on COVID-19 International Cooperation and Digital Transformation Strategies for Diplomats from 8 Countries in Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) announced on the 13th that it held an on-site briefing session on best practices in public administration for foreign diplomats stationed in Korea at the KOICA headquarters in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 12th.

The briefing session, hosted by KOICA under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, attracted attention as KOICA’s ‘ABC Program’ for the international community’s joint response to COVID-19 and the ‘Digital Transformation Strategy’ preparing for the post-COVID era were introduced in the presence of eight foreign diplomats including the ambassadors of Guatemala and Oman to Korea.

The ABC Program introduced that day is part of the Korean government’s ‘Development Cooperation Initiative for a Safe World Together (ODA KOREA: Building TRUST)’ and supports international quarantine cooperation and strengthening the COVID-19 resilience of partner countries. Through this program, KOICA is currently implementing about 550 support projects in 106 countries.

The briefing also introduced KOICA’s ‘Digital Transformation Strategy’ to prepare for the post-COVID era. KOICA has established this strategy to digitize all resources and pursue innovation in management, business systems, and project implementation methods. On the day of the briefing, KOICA presented its company-wide efforts for digital transformation and held a session for exchanging opinions with the visiting delegation.

Looking at specific cases of the ABC Program, in Indonesia, comprehensive emergency support for COVID-19 response is underway, including △emergency medical and quarantine equipment support to 13 COVID-19 response base hospitals in Jakarta and the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management △capacity building for healthcare personnel △strengthening community quarantine capabilities △support for vulnerable groups. Last month, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, KOICA provided quarantine supplies to 67 prisons across Indonesia for inmates and staff and carried out activities to enhance infectious disease response capabilities. In Guatemala, KOICA also supported masks and diagnostic kits in connection with the ongoing project to improve the police education system for strengthening public safety.

Baek Sook-hee, Director of KOICA’s Africa, Middle East, and Latin America Headquarters, said, “Through this event, we were able to showcase Korea’s international solidarity and joint response efforts against COVID-19 and preparations for the post-COVID era to the world. We will strive to become KOICA that contributes to realizing global social values by strengthening partnerships with various countries.”