2nd GHSA High-level Meeting Welcoming Remarks
by H.E. Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Seoul, September 9, 2015

Health Minister Chung,
Defense Minister Han,
WHO Director-General Chan,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Last week, I was present at the GLACIER Conference in Alaska, at the front line of climate change in the Arctic. There, I was struck by the enormity of the changes, from the fast-melting glaciers to the tundra suffering wildfires. And of course, what happens in the Arctic doesn’t stop in the Arctic. The severe winter weather patterns we are experiencing in mid-latitude regions are just one example of the Arctic’s impact on the whole planet’s land, sea and skies.

So, why am I touching on climate change at this conference? Because just like climate change, health security, the issue at hand today, is a trans-national problem that calls for global solutions. The Arctic may be in the middle of nowhere, but it has become the “ground zero” of climate change. Likewise, any place in our planet could become the epicenter of an epidemic.

In that sense, last year’s Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa was a wake-up call for many of us here today on the international community’s shortcomings in combating trans-boundary diseases. It is true that over the past few years, we have made much progress in global health issues, thanks to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Nevertheless, the discomforting fact is that when it comes to the prevention and detection of and response to new types of cross-border infectious diseases, there are wide discrepancies among different countries and regions.

That is why in the wake of the Ebola epidemic, Director-General Chan emphasized the necessity for significant reforms to deal with global health crises. And this is why today, all of us have come together under the banner of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).

Indeed, I would say that President Obama’s launch of the Global Health Security Agenda was the right initiative at the right time. Last year, at the inaugural meeting, we forged a shared understanding on three points, i.e.:
- health security is a common threat that requires common responses;
- health security calls for a holistic approach encompassing not only the security, but also the development cooperation and human rights aspects; and
- health security needs a multi-stakeholder partnership comprising governments, civil society, business and academia.

For Korea’s part, these points are also important elements of our “humanitarian diplomacy,” which has a particular focus on public health and disaster management, areas where Korea has the experience and capabilities to make a difference.

So last year, at the time of the Ebola epidemic, my government responded by dispatching emergency medical teams. In fact, Korea was the country farthest from West Africa to do so, showing that distance forms no barrier in joining hands with international partners to combat the deadly virus.

And this year, we swiftly and successfully overcame the MERS outbreak in Korea, with the cooperation of the WHO, the U.S. and other partners. That episode was another reminder that international cooperation can make a world of difference in dealing with epidemic outbursts.

Meanwhile, in my part of the world, health security has great potential to foster inter-Korean and sub-regional cooperation, as manifested by my President’s proposals for public health cooperation between South and North Korea and multilateral cooperation in Northeast Asia.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we meet at a critical juncture on the heels of the Ebola and MERS outbreaks, I would like to share some thoughts on the way ahead for the GHSA.

First, we need to muster the political will. In order for this initiative to keep up the momentum, marshaling our resolve and raising its profile are crucial. In that respect, the outcome document we will be adopting at this conference will provide the blueprint for the future of the Global Health Security Agenda.

Second, we need to support capacity building for developing countries, which remain the weak links of the global health architecture. This is an important element for strengthening global resilience and immunity. In this regard, as my President has stated, Korea will undertake the “Safe Life for All” project. Starting in 2016, this five-year project will inject 100 million dollars across the world to provide vaccination, improve health systems and develop the capacity of medical staff.

Third, we need to strengthen the response against bio-terrorism. Pathogens and toxins can be abused and misused as weapons by terrorists and extremists. However, uniquely among WMDs, biological weapons still lack a proper verification mechanism. Korea stands ready to share our experiences to fill the gaps in the global defenses against bio-terrorism. The Able Response, a joint Korea-U.S. exercise against bio-threats which some of you have observed, is part of such efforts.

For Korea’s “humanitarian diplomacy,” health security and development cooperation are key components. I can assure you that my government is committed to the success of this noble health security initiative.

Twenty years ago, when I watched the movie called “Outbreak,” starring Dustin Hoffmann, I could never have imagined such fiction would become reality many years later. This gives us a solemn lesson that in our ever-shrinking world, we should think ahead and act ahead, whether on climate change or infectious diseases, or we will be swept away. But if we stay ahead, we can prevail. That is my message to you today. Thank you very much. /END/