Policy Updates

On December 15, 2024, Japan hosted the 17^th THMM with China and South Korea, focusing on public health security, healthy aging, and strengthening health systems to achieve UHC.

The ministers discussed improving PPR, tackling AMR, and promoting joint clinical trials and regulatory alignment across Asia. Japan highlighted the importance of strengthening health workforces, fostering innovation, and increasing cooperation between public health institutes. The countries agreed on an updated Memorandum of Cooperation and Joint Action Plan to improve coordinated responses to future global health emergencies.

On healthy aging, the countries shared strategies for preventive care, integrating long-term healthcare systems, and using technologies like care robots and ICT to meet the needs of aging populations. They also emphasized joint research on aging-related care, considering the cultural and demographic similarities of the three nations.

The three countries committed to strengthening health systems to achieve UHC, promoting digital transformation for equitable healthcare access, and supporting initiatives like Japan’s UHC Knowledge Hub, set to launch in 2025. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to collaborative health solutions, with South Korea scheduled to host the next THMM in 2025.

On December 6, 2024, South Korea and UNICEF held the 20^th Annual Policy Consultation to explore more effective and strategic ways to work together to contribute to the common goal of child protection.

South Korean Director-General for Development Cooperation Jonghan Park announced that the government will increase its regular contribution to UNICEF in 2024 to US$15 million and provide an additional US$30 million in ACT-A support to UNICEF for children suffering from poor health conditions globally.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden expressed her deep gratitude to South Korea for its increased contribution. She emphasized the importance of South Korea’s US$20 million contribution to ACT-A in 2023, which helped improve WASH standards for children in 22 countries. South Korea- UNICEF partnerships will continue to expand their contribution.

On December 2, 2024, the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare and the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care held a Health Dialogue, building on their MOU on healthcare cooperation signed in August 2023.

They reviewed the achievements of cooperation in R&D, shared public health best practices, and explored future cooperation.

The 2^nd South Korean Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Min-soo Park highlighted international solidarity and cooperation to address growing health inequalities, and emphasized the importance of international solidarity in addressing health inequalities. Park expressed hope that this inaugural Health Dialogue would foster new horizons in healthcare cooperation between the two countries and help to advance UHC.

On November 13, 2024, South Korean Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Ki-hwan Kwon met with the Executive Director of Unitaid Dr. Philippe Duneton to discuss global health cooperation including pandemic prevention and response, and co-operation between South Korea and Unitaid.

Kwon highlighted that the South Korean government is actively engaged in efforts to strengthen the global health system and values cooperation with global health initiatives including Unitaid. He noted the importance of the international community to work together to prevent and respond to future pandemics.

Following the meeting, the South Korean government signed a commitment with Unitaid for a contribution of US$17 million through ACT-A, bringing the total amount of its support to Unitaid to US$22 million in 2024. The South Korean MOFA will continue strengthening the global health system through cooperation with global health initiatives.

On November 10, 2024, South Korea hosted the 2024 World Bio Summit to discuss international cooperation in the health sector.

South Korean 2^nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Min-soo Park had a bilateral meeting with Lao PDR's Minister of Health Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Regional Director of WPRO Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, and Executive Director of Unitaid Dr. Philippe Duneton.

These bilateral meetings were organized at the request of senior officials from the respective organizations. They discussed issues of interest and cooperation in the healthcare sector, and how South Korea and Lao PDR can cooperate to improve the healthcare system in Lao PDR.

South Korea will also actively participate as a member of the WHO Executive Board in order to successfully implement the five-year plan (2024-2028) of new health strategies. Regarding cooperation with Unitaid, South Korea will strengthen public-private partnerships in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

On October 31, 2024, South Korean Minister Kyu-hong Cho attended the 2024 G20 Health Ministers‘ Meeting and Joint Finance and Health Ministers‘ Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In discussions with representatives from various countries, Minister Cho explored ways to enhance equity in healthcare access and achieve UHC by building a sustainable and resilient global health system.

He emphasized the efficient use of resources for pandemic prevention, response, and preparedness and underscored the importance of a balanced review of the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of various health crisis financing options.

The Health Ministers' Meeting joint declaration, the first in three years, will be an outcome of the upcoming G20 Summit and a significant milestone for future international health meetings and negotiations.

On September 27, 2024, South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Tae-yul Cho attended the Ministerial Meeting of the Foreign Ministry Channel for Global Health Security held in New York, highlighting the importance of diplomacy in driving international cooperation in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

The meeting, hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, was launched in March 2024 with more than 20 countries including South Korea. He emphasized diplomatic efforts should be made in three areas:

• Creating a global network for vaccine development;
• Strengthening global health security agreements such as the Pandemic Pact and One Health Approach; and
• Strengthening health capacity in developing countries through development cooperation.

The South Korean government has appointed an ambassador for global health security and committed to make US$30 million in contributions to the Pandemic Fund from 2023-25. The South Korean government will continue strengthening international cooperation to promote global health security.

On September 10, 2024, South Korea and Global Fund co-hosted the High-Level Symposium and Procurement Forum on the Fight Against Infectious Diseases with 2^nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Insun Kang, Global Fund Executive Director Peter Sands, members of the National Assembly, and more than 160 participants from the government, international organizations, NGOs, and academia.

39 biopharmaceutical companies attended this forum, demonstrating the high level of interest from South Korean companies. In his welcoming remarks, Ahn noted that the South Korean government should continue to provide support through ODA to respond to the pandemic. Lee said the Global Fund offers an important platform for international cooperation in responding to infectious diseases, hoping the forum would lead to constructive discussions on how South Korean companies can enter the international health procurement market.

Kang noted that the South Korean government is on track to fulfill its pledge of US$100 million in 2023-2025 and will continue to support synergies between South Korean companies and the Global Fund.

Before the forum, Kang met with Sands to deepen cooperation and expressed its pledge of US$25 million to the Global Fund this year. South Korea will continue to make efforts to combat infectious diseases through cooperation with the Global Fund and other global health initiatives.

On September 5, 2024, South Korean Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Ki-hwan Kwon met CEO of Gavi Dr. Sania Nishta to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the South Korean government and the organization.

Kwon recognized the active participation of South Korean companies in the international health procurement market through Gavi, accounting for 11% of Gavi’s total vaccine procurement last year. Dr. Nishtar expressed her hope to expand collaboration with the South Korean government and companies in the implementation of the next Gavi 6.0 Strategy, which will run from 2026-2030.

The BMGF and the Open Philanthropy Foundation hosted a luncheon seminar on South Korea’s contributions to global multilateral health cooperation with Dr. Nishtar. Dr. Nishtar introduced Gavi’s work to officials from the government, industry, and international organizations working in the country and called for a social consensus on funding.

On August 29, 2024, South Korean Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Ki-hwan Kwon delivered an opening remark at the CEPI board meeting in South Korea, appreciating CEPI’s efforts to prepare for future pandemics and its increased investment in South Korean companies.

He reaffirmed the South Korean government’s support for CEPI’s role in supporting vaccine development for future pandemics. Kwon also appreciated CEPI’s partnerships with South Korean companies and institutions, highlighting the need to broaden the scope of collaboration to include health research and training personnel in the bio sector.

The South Korean government noted that it will continue to proactively contribute to the international community’s efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics through cooperation with various global health initiatives including CEPI.