Korea-Cambodia Forum on Development Cooperation

On 20 December, 2011

1. Summary

This Forum is initiated as a brainstorming policy dialogue between Korea and Cambodia with exclusive focus on development cooperation:

- To review and assess the accomplishments and current status of the development cooperation between Korea and Cambodia

- And to explore better ways to enhance development effectiveness including the reflection of Cambodia Partnership Strategy (CPS) of Korea and outcome of 4^th High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan

2. Organizer

The Forum will be organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in collaboration with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).

3. Participants

A.   Korean side

Embassy of the Republic of Korea

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT)

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM)

Other ODA executing agency (Korea Foundation for International Healthcare)

Think-tanks (KDI, KIEP)

B.   Cambodian side

Ministry of Economy and Finance

Council for the Development of Cambodia

Other line Ministries recommended by CDC and MEF

4. Venue

CDC for the Forum and Diner hosted by Korea and Raffles LeRoral

5. Language

The main language in the Forum will be English.

6. Itinerary

14:40-15:00     Registration

15:00-15:30     Opening

-    H.E. Keat Chhon, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia

-    Mr. Chang Hojin, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

15:30-16:40     Session1: Strategic overview of Korea-Cambodia Cooperation

A.    Main issues

Korea has cooperated Cambodia, one of its major priority countries for development cooperation, with its soft loans (EDCF: Economic Development Cooperation Fund) and grant aid amounting to 340 million US dollars (approved terms) and 68 million US dollars (executed terms) respectively.

The development cooperation between the two countries has been implemented with special focus on priority sectors encompassing infrastructure, health-care, education and rural development in light of Korea’s comparative advantages and Cambodia’s national development strategy. With regard to the 5 principles speculated in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness[1], Korea and Cambodia has closely cooperated to reflect the principles in every stage of project cycles.

It is also worthwhile to point out that the 4^th High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan this year is a milestone to transform the aid architecture from aid effectiveness to development effectiveness.

Against this backdrop, participants will review the accomplishments and lessons learned in the development cooperation between Korea and Cambodia and discuss the way to enhance development effectiveness in light of the outcomes of 4^th High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan and Cambodia’s priorities for adapting and implementing this new framework for partnership and development effectiveness. In this regard, the main discussions of this session will be focused on:

-          General assessment of Korea’s development cooperation with Cambodia,

-          Review on the merits and demerits of the development cooperation between the two side,

-         How to reflect lessons from the previous experiences and major outcomes of Busan HLF4 to reach the national development goals,

-          How these considerations can direct the future development cooperation between Korea and Cambodia

B.     Moderator and speakers

Moderator: Mr. Chang Hojin, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

Presentations (each 10 minutes)

Korean side:

            Mr. Kim Sang-Joon, Vice-Representative of KOICA

            Mr. Hong Sung Hoon, Director of KEXIM

Cambodian side:

            Mr. Pen Thirong, Director of MEF

Comments (each 5minutes)

Korean side: Dr. Kang Moon-soo, Visiting Professor of KDI

Cambodian side: Mr. Ros Salin, Director of CDC

Free discussion (30 minutes)

16:40-17:50 Session2: Update on the status of Country Partnership Strategy

A.    Main issues

Since Korea joined OECD/DAC in 2010, the Government of the Republic of Korea has implemented various reform policies to enhance effectiveness of Korea’ development cooperation system, encompassing the preparation to draft Country Partnership Strategies (CPS) for core partner countries including Cambodia.

On the 1^st Korea-Cambodia CPS Policy Dialogue on November 15, 2011, the two sides exchanged constructive views and comments on the draft document of CPS, which will be an overarching plan of Korea for its ODA activities in Cambodia once it is finalized. As has been agreed upon by the two sides during the 1^st CPS Policy Dialogue, the two sides will continue to discuss and finalize the CPS through diplomatic channels.

Participants will have a wrap-up discussion on the final document of CPS in case it is completed by December 20, 2011. Otherwise, the Korean side will brief on the semi-final version of CPS to the Cambodia side for further discussion.

B.     Moderator and speakers

Moderator: H.E. Keat Chhon, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance and First Vice-Chairwoman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia

Presentation (30 minutes)

Korean side: Ms. Han Eun-Shil, Deputy Director of MOFAT

Comments and free discussion (40 minutes)

Korean side: Dr. Kang Dae-Chang, Senior Researcher of KIEP

Cambodian side: CDC, MEF and others

17:50-18:00     Wrap-up and Closing

-         H.E. Keat Chhon, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia

-          Mr. Chan Hojin, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

18:30   Dinner hosted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea for all the participants