[A summarized unofficial version of the press release]

KDCA Attends the 77^th World Health Assembly

to Expand International Partnership

supporting Key Global Health Agendas

KDCA Commissioner serves as the Vice President of the Plenary session representing the Western Pacific Region

KDCA signed an MOU with CEPI and held high-level bilateral meetings with multiple respected international organizations including the Robert Koch Institute, Global Fund, Gavi, and UNITAID

Osong, 26^th June 2023 – KDCA Commissioner Youngmee Jee attended the 77^th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 27 to June 1. At this event, she served as the Vice Chair of the Plenary session representing the Western Pacific Region and hosted a side event, aiming to step up global health cooperation efforts and elevate Korea’s international recognition.

[Election as the Vice President of the Plenary session and appointment as a member of the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (IOAC)]

On May 27, as KDCA Commissioner Jee was elected as the Vice President of the Plenary session, as the representative of the Western Pacific Region Office (WPRO), she assumed a dual role as the Plenary session’s Vice President and a member of the General Committee for the duration of the Assembly. This empowered her to actively engage in the WHO executive board’s decision-making by negotiating the agendas and overseeing their implementation. Her election provided an opportunity to underscore Korea’s leadership role on the global stage.

Furthermore, Commissioner Jee was appointed as a member of the IOAC*, starting her tenure in June of this year. The committee consists of up to twelve members from diverse sectors such as governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society. Each member serves a two-year term.

*The Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (IOAC): Supervising and guiding the WHO Health Emergencies Programme to coordinate WHO’s response to health crises, advising the Director-General, and reporting outcomes to the World Health Assembly

[MOUs signing]

On May 28, Commissioner Jee signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and discussed the establishment of a framework for bilateral technical cooperation in the field of infectious disease control and prevention for future pandemics. The MOU specifically outlines collaboration in key areas, including the establishment and operation of a vaccine library, and participation in a central laboratory network for research on novel pathogens and infectious disease vaccines. It is expected to provide significant impetus to boost the bilateral collaboration to ensure the rapid development of vaccines in preparation for pandemics.

[Bilateral Meetings]

The KDCA held bilateral meetings with various countries, international entities and organizations. On May 28, Commissioner Jee had a meeting over breakfast with Prof. Lars Schaade, President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI),

to introduce each other to the activities of the two organizations and exchange views on the RKI’s ongoing project designed to strengthen public health intelligence (PHI) competencies and capacity building at national, regional and international level. Both leaders agreed to continue their cooperation for future public health crisis responses.

Moreover, on May 29, Commissioner Jee had bilateral discussions with Christ Elias, President of the Global Development Division of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She commended the Foundation’s efforts in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), Korea’s RIGHT Foundation, and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). The two heads explored ways to enhance the bilateral cooperation aimed at bolstering capabilities in low- and middle-income countries.

On the afternoon of May 29, Commissioner Jee visited the Global Health Campus, where she met with Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of UNITAID, Marie-Ange Saraka-Yao, Chief Resource Mobilization and Growth Officer of GAVI, and Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership.

During the meetings, Commissioner Jee emphasized, “As Korea has increased its financial contributions to international health organizations, there is also a need to enhance Korea’s role and cooperation in technical and professional areas.” She pledged that Korea will actively participate in various agendas led by international organizations, such as the development and distribution of vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics, and support and capacity-building for low- and middle-income countries.

* For detailed information, please refer to the press release written in the Korean language in the file attached below.