UNICEF and the Republic of Korea Forge Stronger Ties at 20th Annual Consultation
Strengthening Partnerships for Global Impact: UNICEF and Korea Unite for Children’s Rights
On 5 December 2024, UNICEF and the Republic of Korea convened their 20th Annual Consultation at UNICEF Headquarters in New York. This milestone meeting highlighted the transformative growth of this longstanding partnership, particularly in the areas of climate, health, and humanitarian initiatives, and set the stage for further collaboration to advance children’s rights globally.
A cornerstone of this year’s dialogue was Korea’s significant increase in contributions to UNICEF’s Regular Resources, rising from $4.5 million in 2023 to $14.5 million in 2024. Regular Resources, UNICEF’s most flexible funding, enable the organization to respond swiftly to crises, sustain its global presence, and implement long-term development programmes.
“This threefold increase in Regular Resources demonstrates Korea’s growing trust in UNICEF’s capacity to deliver effective results for children worldwide,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden. “Such contributions empower us to tackle the most pressing challenges facing children today, from climate change to education to health crises.”
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell noted that "Korea’s significant support reflects a deepening commitment to children's rights and well-being. As we face unprecedented global challenges, partnerships such as ours are essential to mobilize resources and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive."
Another major highlight of the consultation was Korea’s $30 million commitment to UNICEF’s Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) fund in 2024, which builds on the success of a $20 million investment in 2023. The initial funding has allowed UNICEF to restore critical health services, strengthen primary health-care systems, and scale lifesaving interventions in 22 countries. The 2024 funding will expand these efforts to 10 additional countries in Africa, focusing on fragile and humanitarian settings while integrating climate-resilient health services.
“Korea’s contributions to ACT-A not only enhance global health systems, but also underscore the government’s commitment to the health and well-being of the world’s most vulnerable populations,” said Benjamin Schreiber, Associate Director for Health at UNICEF.
The consultation was also an opportunity to highlight a new $42 million Climate partnership between UNICEF and KOICA, Korea’s development agency. This partnership – “Climate Action for the Last Mile: Reaching the Most Vulnerable Children” – represents a highly strategic investment by the Korean Government. It is helping to ensure that children and their communities are less vulnerable to climate change by strengthening the social services which they rely upon, and to enhance Korea’s role as an advocate for children’s issues in global Climate forums.
UNICEF leadership and Korea representatives emphasized the importance of multi-year funding for humanitarian aid to enhance predictability and impact. Discussions included streamlining financial collaboration and improving reporting efficiency to better align donor requirements with operational capacity.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to improving visibility for Korean contributions through innovative strategies such as the Korea Recognition Website (www.unicef.org/gok), global media outreach, and collaboration with local Korean embassies. These efforts are crucial for meeting donor accountability requirements, while showcasing the impact of the government’s investments in humanitarian and development projects.
The consultation also laid the groundwork for a proposed 2030 Partnership Vision. This long-term strategy aims to enhance project timelines, integrate regional priorities, and balance flexibility with accountability. Discussions included increasing the representation of Korean nationals in UNICEF leadership, engaging with civil society, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen future collaboration.
The 20th Annual Consultation underscored the shared resolve of UNICEF and the Republic of Korea to safeguard children’s rights globally. Korea’s unprecedented contributions to UNICEF in 2024 (more than $130 million) exemplify the power of strategic partnerships to drive meaningful change. As they look ahead, UNICEF and the Republic of Korea are committed to deepening their collaboration, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and to realize his or her full potential.
