In a joint statement, the Ministers agree to work together to address issues such as climate change, energy and food security, and the Pacific Island Countries support the Republic of Korea's bid to host UNFCCC COP 18.
2 June 2011: The first Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers’ Meeting convened under the theme, “Vision and Action: Cooperation Across the Ocean,” to discuss ways for the Republic of Korea to expand development cooperation to Pacific Island Countries (PICs), as well as how the participating countries can work together in addressing climate change. It concluded with the adoption of a joint statement comprising major achievements of the meeting.
The meeting, which took place from 31 May-2 June 2011, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, was convened by Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan, and attended by representatives from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
In the joint statement, the Ministers agree to strengthen cooperation in various fields for the sustainable development of the PICs. Minister Kim reaffirms his country’s commitment to continuing to contribute to the economic development of the PICs by expanding trade and investment in fisheries, marine resources, energy and tourism. The Ministers also agree to work together to address issues facing PICs, such as climate change and energy and food security. The Republic of Korea reaffirms that it will expand consultations with the PICs in order to explore cooperation projects that could more accurately reflect the PICs’ development needs and to enhance harmonization with other donor countries and international organizations. The Ministers agree to strengthen development coordination through appropriate channels.
The Ministers express hope that the Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, scheduled to be held in Busan, Republic of Korea, in November 2011, will be a valuable opportunity to rally the political will of the international community toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The PIC Ministers welcome the establishment of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in 2010 by the Republic of Korea and acknowledge that the GGGI could be a useful way to explore the potential of green growth, given the reality of their unique challenges and circumstances. Furthermore, the Ministers agree to make the best use of the Korea-PIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as a platform to explore projects for the green growth and to develop more cooperative measures.
The Ministers express grave concern over the negative impact climate change is having on the small island countries. Underlining the importance of global efforts for the success of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 17) in Durban, South Africa, in 2011, they agree to continue to work together for the advancement of the climate change negotiations through various channels including the present meeting.
The PIC Ministers support the Republic of Korea’s bid to host UNFCCC COP 18 and hope to capitalize on this opportunity to enhance global cooperation on climate change and the Low-Carbon Green Growth strategy to earnestly reflect the voices of the PICs. [Republic of Korea Press Release]