2023 KSP Dissemination Conference ended with a success

On September 11, 2023, at The Westin Josun Seoul, the "2023 Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) Dissemination Conference" was held under the theme "Redesigning Knowledge Sharing: A Platform for Economic Connectivity and Stability." The event was hosted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) and co-organized by the Korea Development Institute (KDI), the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

The conference was attended by high-level officials, including Byoung Hwan KIM, 1st Vice Minister of MOEF; Dong Chul CHO, President of KDI; and Jeffrey SACHS, Professor of Columbia University via online, along with KSP partner country representatives, development cooperation experts, KSP participating institutions, and diplomatic envoys in Korea. At the conference, participants explored the future direction of the KSP in response to changes in the economic environment.
 

Directions for KSP in the Era of 'Geoeconomics' 

Byoung Hwan KIM, the 1st Vice Minister, proposed three directions for the KSP in the era of geoeconomics, where economics and security are closely linked:

1. Expand support to strengthen industrial and technological innovation capacities in partner countries: Focus more on practical solutions like fostering industry and technology than just policy advice.

2. Build long-term cooperation models: Utilize various business types like KSP-Plus and EIPP((Economic Innovation Partnership Program) while strengthening connections with development financing like EDCF(Economic Development Cooperation Fund).

3. Develop KSP that promotes mutual complementarity and cooperation: Pursue projects beneficial to both South Korea and partner countries while building an inclusive cooperation network with international organizations.

Dr. Dongchul CHO, the President of KDI, emphasized the need for international cooperation in the era of the "Big Blur," where industry boundaries are ambiguous. He highlighted how the KSP has strengthened knowledge-sharing solidarity by sharing Korea's diverse crisis management experiences and knowledge with partner countries.

Esteemed professor Jeffrey D. Sachs from Columbia University, a global scholar in the field of development economics, emphasized the importance of international solidarity and collaboration in addressing various global issues such as the economy, society, and the environment through his keynote speech. He highlighted the wealth of experience that South Korea, a powerhouse in advanced technology, can share through the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Professor Sachs outlined eight main areas of focus: Digital technology, Online education, Health, Energy, Transportation and logistics infrastructure, Ecosystem preservation and land management, Food production and distribution, and Financial management.

The session titled “Redesigning Knowledge Sharing: A Platform for Economic Connectivity and Stability” was chaired by Hyoung Kwon KO, former Ambassador to the OECD for the Republic of Korea. Esteemed speakers from both domestic and international domains participated and discussed international discourse on economic security cooperation, the evolving role of knowledge-sharing programs, and collaboration strategies in core technologies, climate change, and finance. Suggestions such as expanding collaboration with developed countries and strengthening international cooperation in core technology research were presented.

Dr. Inkyo Cheong, President of the Korean Security Agency of Trade and Industry (KOSTI), mentioned Korea's efficient measures regarding economic security, such as strategic materials, sensitive technologies, and mobility of scientists between countries. He cited the KSP, which shares Korea's economic development experience with other nations, as a prime example. The necessity to develop effective KSP programs in anticipation of the era of economic security and explore new methods of collaboration was stressed.

Additionally, “The Key Achievements of KSP” sessions shared representative KSP outcomes from projects with Indonesia, Paraguay, and Rwanda. 

> Establishment of a Certification System for Discovering and Fostering Technological Innovations Type SME in Indonesia
 - Presented by H.E. Siti Azizah(Deputy Minister of Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises)

> Consulting on the Medical Device Control System and Certification Scheme in Paraguay
 - Presented by Anibal Giménez Kullak(Director General, Ministry of Industry and Commerce)

> Enhancing Institutional Capacities for Facilitating the Use of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes(ITMO) Through Electric Mobility in Rwanda
 - Presented by Claude K. GANZA(First Counselor, Embassy of Rwanda to the Republic of Korea)

The seminar was conducted in a hybrid format, both online and offline. It witnessed participation from 280 attendees, including government officials, international organization representatives, diplomats in Korea, and the general public. In addition, 578 individuals joined online, resulting in a total of 858 participants. 
 

*** About the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) ***
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Korea (MOEF) launched the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) in 2004 as a comprehensive policy research and consultation program rooted in the principle of sharing knowledge and experience for development. The KSP aims to promote sustainable socio-economic development of partner countries by integrating Korea's development experiences, with a focus on co-ownership and shared responsibility. Unlike traditional theoretical development approaches, the KSP analyzes partner countries' challenges from a demand-driven perspective, offering practical policy recommendations based on Korea's experiences. It combines policy research, development consultation, and capacity building. As of 2023, approximately 1,500 policy consultation projects have been conducted with a total of 91 countries and 12 multilateral agencies.                                                                                                       

Written by: Bora Nam, Head of Policy Consultation Team 1, Center for International Development  044-550-4457, bora221@kdi.re.kr