2022 Global Health Security Agenda 

The 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Global Health Security Agenda, which discussed ways to strengthen the global health security response system in preparation for new infectious diseases, was successfully concluded. Representatives from 27 countries, 10 international organizations, and 20 embassies attended the meeting, discussed the past and future of GHSA, and announced the New Seoul Declaration. The Declaration appreciated the GHSA’s important role in promoting the need for a government-wide, whole-society approach to infectious diseases, as well as building technical expertise and cooperation. The meeting was evaluated as a very timely meeting for overcoming COVID-19 and responding to new infectious diseases that may emerge in the future by comprehensively dealing with topics related to global health and security.

Park presides over an energy cooperation meeting

On December 1, Foreign Minister Jin Park hosted a meeting to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Global Energy Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his welcome speech at the meeting, Minister Park said that energy is one of the top priorities for the Korean government, and that the government will turn the energy crisis into an opportunity by promoting a new energy strategy centered on nuclear power and clean hydrogen. The energy experts who attended the meeting emphasized the importance of energy diplomacy and requested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs make more efforts to help Korean energy companies win overseas orders and establish supply chains. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to make efforts for energy security based on the center’s achievements over the past 10 years.

Korea-Bahamas Foreign Minister’s Meeting

Foreign Minister Jin Park held a meeting with Bahamian Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on the afternoon of November 29, and discussed bilateral relations, promotion of substantive cooperation, cooperation between Korea and the Caribbean, cooperation on the Korean Peninsula and on the international stage. Minister Park welcomed the foreign minister of the Bahamas to visit Korea, which was the first visit in 34 years since 1988, and hoped to enhance bilateral relations based on the cooperative relationship that has continued since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1985 in the fields of political affairs, economy, and humanitarian aid. Minister Mitchell highly commended Minister Park’s will to promote cooperation, and hoped for sustainable development with Korea in the areas of maritime policy, climate change, and technological cooperation. Park requested active support, saying that the 2030 Busan World Expo would greatly contribute to cooperation with the Bahamas and the Caribbean in addressing climate change and the technology gap.