S. Korea Hosts Release of UNDP Human Development Report, Highlighting Widening Development Gap
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), co-hosted a domestic launch event for the 2023-24 Human Development Report.
The report, published annually by UNDP's human development arm, aims to move development economics from a focus on national income to prioritizing people-centered policies. Authored by the influential economist Amartya Sen, the index plays a crucial role in shifting the development paradigm from economic growth to human-centered social progress.
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| (Photo = Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
The Human Development Index (HDI) is calculated based on a country's per capita income, life expectancy, and education levels. As of 2022, South Korea ranked 19th out of 193 countries with an HDI of 0.929. Other top-ranking nations included Switzerland (1st), Germany (7th), the United Kingdom (15th, tied with the US), Japan (24th), and France (28th).
Titled "Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarized World," the 2023-24 report was globally released in March. The Korean event served as its official domestic launch.
The report predicts a post-pandemic rebound in the global HDI, reaching an all-time high in 2023. However, it also warns of a further widening development gap between developed and developing nations.
In his opening remarks, Kwon Ki-hwan, Coordinator for Multilateral Diplomacy, commended the report for addressing critical issues like uneven development, rising inequality, and political polarization. He pledged the Korean government's continued commitment to expanding its Official Development Assistance (ODA) and active participation in the international community, particularly during its upcoming term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2024-25).
The event, attended by around 80 representatives from the diplomatic corps, international organizations, public institutions, academia, and the private sector, featured discussions on the report's key findings. Additionally, separate closed-door sessions were held with domestic experts to explore potential themes for the next report.
South Korea's support for the UNDP Human Development Report began in 2019, reflecting its commitment to strengthening cooperation with UNDP, a key partner in global development efforts. The event underscored the country's continuing efforts to solidify the Korea-UNDP strategic partnership.
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