Na Kyung-won Discusses Supply Chain Cooperation with WTO Secretary-General at Davos Forum

Discussion with the Representative of the International Vaccine Institute on Ending COVID-19

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Na Kyung-won, former floor leader of the People Power Party, met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the representative of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) on the 24th (local time) in Davos, Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting is being held, in her capacity as the presidential special envoy for the WEF.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Special Envoy Na discussed with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, the role of the WTO and cooperation measures with South Korea regarding the food and energy crises caused by the Ukraine situation and the recent global supply chain crisis.

During the meeting with Seth Berkley, representative of GAVI, they discussed cooperation between South Korea and GAVI for the global response to and eradication of COVID-19.

Special Envoy Na expressed concern about the recent COVID-19 situation in North Korea and explained the government’s policy on COVID-19 prevention support for North Korea. She also exchanged views on the need for a joint international response to overcome North Korea’s COVID-19 situation.

On the previous day, Special Envoy Na attended the "FMC Leaders Meeting" session co-hosted by John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Børge Brende, Managing Director of the WEF. The FMC (Friends of the Climate) initiative was jointly launched by the United States and the Davos Forum in November last year during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

Meanwhile, this year’s Davos Forum, held from the 22nd to the 26th of this month under the theme "A History of Turning Points: Government Policies and Corporate Strategies," will continue until the 26th and is attended by about 2,500 people including heads of state and government from over 50 countries, politicians, business leaders, scholars, and civil society figures.