Policy Updates

On September 1, 2025, the KFS and the UNCCD held an international forum in Seoul, South Korea, to review the PFI and its role in using forest restoration for peacebuilding.

The PFI, launched in 2019, aims to restore degraded land in border and conflict-prone areas to build trust and promote the peaceful use of natural resources. The forum brought together climate envoys, international organizations, and civil society groups to discuss the initiative's achievements and strategies.

Discussions highlighted case studies, including a forest peace model in Bosnia and Herzegovina developed with the FAO and the UNDP, as well as climate security responses in Central Asia. During the event, memoranda of understanding were signed to advance peace building efforts in these regions.

On August 14, 2025, the resumed 5^th session of the INC-5.2 in Geneva, Switzerland, concluded without reaching a consensus on a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, though UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that all member states agreed to continue negotiations.

Negotiations to establish a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution concluded without an agreement. UN officials, including UNEP Executive Director Andersen and UN Secretary-General Guterres, acknowledged the outcome but emphasized that all countries remained committed to the process. The talks, which included delegates from 183 nations and representatives from over 400 CSOs faced significant differences on key issues.

The US delegation supported an agreement that allows for tailored, country-specific solutions to reduce plastic pollution while opposing prescriptive, top-down regulations. INC Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso and INC Executive Secretary Jyoti Mathur-Filipp reaffirmed their dedication to moving forward and achieving a future agreement.

On August 12, 2025, the UNDP, with US$10 million in funding from the Republic of Korea, launched the REVIVE project in Afghanistan to support over 350,000 people.

The project will run from July 2025 to July 2026 across six provinces: Badakhshan, Zabul, Daikundi, Faryab, Khost, and Nangarhar. The REVIVE project focuses on creating emergency employment, rehabilitating essential infrastructure, and improving community-level food security, with an emphasis on climate resilience and women’s empowerment.

UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan Stephen Rodriques stated that the project serves as a bridge between crisis and recovery by investing in local resilience and sustainable opportunities.

Chargé d’affaires of the Republic of Korea to Afghanistan Sung-hwan Moon reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting the Afghan people, particularly women, children, and refugees, and highlighted that the project will help communities rebuild livelihoods and move toward a self-reliant future.

On July 25, 2025, the UNOPS announced the delivery of critical equipment to Ukraine, part of a US$10 million project funded by the Republic of Korea's development agency, KOICA, to bolster emergency response in frontline communities.

The project aims to restore public services in high-risk areas of northeastern Ukraine's Sumy region, which have been heavily affected by the ongoing conflict. As of the announcement, deliveries included 49 of 60 buses and 43 of 100 power generators.

The buses are intended to facilitate civilian evacuations and restore access to essential services such as education and healthcare. The power generators were delivered to the SESU to ensure emergency operations can continue without interruption amid damage to local power infrastructure. Local officials expressed gratitude for the timely assistance.

On July 24, 2025, South Korea's presidential administration launched an investigation into its ODA, which experts have indicated may signal a shift away from the previous government's foreign assistance policy.

Under South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, the administration is examining reports of corruption within the KOICA and other programs from the previous administration. The government is also reportedly considering cuts to the KRW6.5 trillion (US$4.7 billion) assistance budget to fund defense spending. A mid-year supplemental budget already cut KRW7.4 billion (US$5.4 billion) from allocations, and the National Assembly froze KRW80 billion (US$58.3 million) in concessional loans.

The moves mark a turn from former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s policy, which had increased the ODA to GNI ratio to a record high of 0.21% in 2024. Lee has suggested repurposing foreign assistance funds to promote South Korean culture, a departure from traditional development priorities.

On June 26, 2025, UNICEF commended South Korea's contribution to the organization of US$142 million in 2024 despite declining global ODA trends, highlighting their commitment to placing children’s rights as a priority funding area at the 19^th Annual Policy Consultation in New York.

Particular focus in the consultation was placed on expanding assistance to Africa. Korea pledged to leverage both financial resources and technical expertise to bolster global child welfare. The consultation also reinforced partnerships in health, climate, AI and tech-enabled development (through the GIGA initiative), and private-sector engagement.

The meeting concluded with the launch of a donor-visibility platform to highlight Korea’s contributions to UNICEF’s mission.

From June 9-13, 2025, the 3^rd UN Ocean Conference was hosted in Nice, France, ending with over 170 countries adopting a joint declaration committing to urgent measures for ocean conservation and sustainable use.

The event featured 55 heads of state and government as well as upwards of 15,000 participants from civil society, business, and science. The Nice Ocean Action Plan, combining this declaration with voluntary pledges, was said to mark renewed global political will for marine protection.

Key commitments included:

• A European Commission pledge of EUR1 billion (US$1.1 billion) for ocean conservation;
• A pledge by French Polynesia to create the world’s largest marine protected area;
• A pledge by New Zealand of US$52 million for Pacific Ocean governance;
• A pledge by Italy of EUR6.5 million (US$7 million) to strengthen Coast Guard surveillance in marine protected areas and on oil platforms;
• A pledge by Spain to establish five new marine protected areas, aiming to safeguard 25% of its marine territory;
• A pledge by Germany of EUR100 million (US$115 million) for Baltic and North Sea munitions clearance;
• The launch of a Coral Bond for reef conservation by Indonesia, WB, and partners.

37 countries, led by Panama and Canada, launched the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean, while Canada pledged US$9 million to the Ocean Risk and Resilience Alliance. UN agencies and global partners also launched a co-design process for One Ocean Finance to unlock billions in new financing from ocean-dependent industries and blue economy sectors.

Nineteen more states ratified the Marine Biodiversity Treaty, bringing total signatures to 136 and ratifications to 50 states, plus the EU. Ten more ratifications are needed for the Agreement to enter into force. The 4^th UN Ocean Conference, in 2028, will be co-hosted by Chile and the Republic of Korea.

On June 2, 2025, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party was elected President of South Korea, following a snap election held after the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, securing victory with approximately 49% of the vote.

This election followed a period of political instability, including the imposition of martial law by Yoon Suk Yeol and subsequent leadership changes. Voter turnout was high, exceeding 79%, reflecting strong public engagement. The Democratic Party now holds both the presidency and a majority in the National Assembly.

Key priorities for the new administration include economic recovery, navigating relations with the US and China, and addressing ongoing domestic political divisions. The new president will also face legal challenges, as Lee Jae-myung is currently involved in ongoing court cases, which may influence his early term.

On May 16, 2025, the KOICA and Tajikistan signed agreements for two ODA projects totaling US$19 million which aim to enhance agricultural resilience to climate change in the Rudaki and Hisor regions.

The first project, valued at US$11 million, focuses on modernizing irrigation systems in Rudaki by upgrading pumping stations and providing essential equipment like excavators and bulldozers. This project is expected to benefit over 30,000 residents by improving water access for farming.

The second project, with an investment of US$8 million, will establish smart greenhouse farming infrastructure in Hisor. By introducing advanced Korean greenhouse technology, the initiative aims to support 3,000 farming households, enabling year-round cultivation and boosting agricultural productivity.

These projects highlight KOICA’s commitment to addressing climate challenges and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Tajikistan.

On April 6, 2025, South Korea pledged US$100 million in assistance to Ukraine, citing regional security threats linked to North Korea and Russia.

The funding will be allocated toward reconstruction projects, humanitarian relief, and infrastructure repair in conflict-affected regions. South Korea’s support underscores its commitment to international stability and countering aggression in Eastern Europe.