Kwon Ki-hwan, Coordinator for Global Multilateral Diplomacy at South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the "Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Response to Gaza" held in Cairo, Egypt, on December 2. During the meeting, Kwon underscored the importance of the international community’s efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to participating in these initiatives.
Kwon highlighted that the South Korean government has provided $40 million in support to help alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza since the outbreak of armed conflict between Israel and Hamas in October last year. He emphasized the critical need to implement key measures outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2735, including an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the guarantee of unimpeded humanitarian access to the affected areas.
The participants of the meeting collectively agreed that resolving the Gaza crisis requires the political will of the involved parties, supported by sustained mediation efforts from the international community. They also acknowledged that current humanitarian aid remains insufficient and called for heightened global attention and contributions. Looking beyond immediate relief, the attendees committed to deepening cooperation for early recovery efforts, aiming to build a more sustainable future for Gaza.
As a global pivotal state and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2024–2025, South Korea intends to continue providing humanitarian assistance to regions worldwide affected by crises. Kwon reiterated that this commitment aligns with the country's broader responsibility in addressing global challenges.
On the sidelines of the conference, Kwon met with Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), to discuss strategies for global cooperation in responding to humanitarian emergencies, including the crisis in Gaza.
The meeting, co-hosted by the Egyptian government and the United Nations, brought together over 60 ministers and representatives from various countries. Attendees included Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atti, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and senior officials from international organizations and major humanitarian aid-related NGOs.