[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Lee Tae-ho, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the ‘3rd Open SDGs Forum’ held on the 24th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, organized together with the ‘SDGs Citizen Net,’ a nationwide civil society group for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing solidarity and cooperation for sustainable development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been hosting forums since 2019 in collaboration with civil society and various stakeholders to discuss the status and challenges of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. This 3rd forum was held under the theme ‘Finding Answers in the SDGs in the New Normal Era after COVID-19.’
At the forum, Vice Minister Lee Tae-ho and Lee Deok-hee, an operating committee member of SDGs Citizen Net, gave opening remarks; Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (via video), Assemblyman Ahn Ho-young, and Kim Jung-wook, Chairman of the Green Growth Committee, delivered congratulatory speeches. About 100 people participated online.
Vice Minister Lee emphasized, "The Korean New Deal comprehensive plan, which is being promoted with the will to transition to a leading economy, a low-carbon society, and an inclusive society, will contribute to accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals domestically and internationally," adding, "Cooperation and solidarity among domestic and international stakeholders are important to move toward a society where no one is left behind and everyone is safe."
Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee, in her video congratulatory speech, stated that the vision for the post-COVID-19 era is already embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals, urging that it is time to review the implementation status and reorganize the promotion system to accelerate the achievement of detailed goals.
The attendees shared the main outcomes and implications of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development held last July and discussed △ the impact and challenges of COVID-19 on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals △ the importance of participation from various stakeholders.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs evaluated, "This forum served as an opportunity to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the domestic and international economic, social, and environmental sectors and the implementation plans for the next decade of the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthening joint efforts and cooperation between the government and the private sector in various areas such as labor, industry, finance, and protection of vulnerable groups."
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