Panelists discuss the importance of Africa's role in the United Nations during a session on "The Role and Importance of Africa at the United Nations" at the 2024 KAIS Annual Conference in Seoul, Dec. 6. Courtesy of Korea-Africa Foundation
By Kim Hyun-bin
The Korea-Africa Foundation, chaired by Kim Young-chae, in collaboration with the Korean Association of International Studies (KAIS), hosted a session on "The Role and Importance of Africa at the United Nations" during the 2024 KAIS Annual Conference on Dec. 6, the foundation said Wednesday.
Held under the overarching theme of "From the Inside Out: Global Complex Crisis and Korean Foreign Policy," the annual conference brought together scholars, policymakers and experts to discuss pressing global issues and Korea's diplomatic responses.
The Africa session aimed to elevate national interest in Africa's contributions to the international community and broaden the scope of academic research on the subject.
David J. Francis, former minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, highlighted in his presentation the impactful history of UN peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone. His speech, titled "Sierra Leone in the UN Security Council: Lessons for Africa in the New Multipolar World Order," emphasized that African nations could transition from being mere beneficiaries to active collaborators in international peacekeeping efforts.
Eghosa E. Osaghae, secretary-general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, discussed "Continuity and Change in Africa's Role at the UN," detailing Africa's journey to becoming a unified global actor through its engagements with the UN.
"The UN has provided a platform for multilateral cooperation for African countries, enabling Africa to exert stronger global influence," Osaghae said.
The panel discussion, moderated by Oh Joon, chairman of Save the Children Korea, featured Kim Tae-kyun, director of the Asia-Africa Center at Seoul National University, and Kim Dong-seok, associate professor at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security. The panelists delved into the cooperation models between the UN and Africa and discussed future challenges and opportunities.
In a significant development, the Korea-Africa Foundation and KAIS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further academic and policy collaboration.
The MOU outlines joint efforts in planning and conducting international academic conferences, collaborative research and publication in African and international political fields, as well as strengthening policy dialogues and exchanges through their networks.
English (United States) ·