S. Korea to triple aid to developing nations by 2015

DOHA, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo said Saturday
that his government plans to triple its official development assistance, or ODA,
designed to promote the socioeconomic advancement of developing nations, by 2015.
In an address at a U.N. development financing conference that opened in this
Qatari capital on Saturday, Han called for keeping the momentum alive to increase
international ODA volume and detailed the South Korean government's various
efforts to contribute to developing economies.
Han said South Korea will lead an effort to create a US$200 million East Asian
climate partnership for the purpose of helping nations in the region cope with
both economic growth and climate change simultaneously.
He also said Seoul has been striving to join the Development Assistance Committee
of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the principal body
through which the OECD deals with issues related to cooperation with developing
countries.
"The gradual increase in ODA in international society is encouraging, and such
momentum should be further reinforced," said Han in his address.
"All donor countries have to carry out their promises to expand ODA, because
there is concern that the ongoing global financial crisis is feared to restrain
their fiscal capabilities, triggering an aid crisis," said the prime minister.
In a separate address at the four-day U.N. conference, U.N. Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon also called for measures to confront both development emergencies and
climate change.
Leaders and top delegates of 145 U.N. member states attended the conference under
the theme of "Addressing Common Concerns Through Renewed Cooperation."
ycm@yna.co.kr
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