Seoul: Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's key newswire, partnered with the U.N. refugee agency to host a global forum aimed at addressing the critical issue of forced displacement in Africa, where over 100 million people have been uprooted due to war, violence, or persecution.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Global Forum on Solutions for Forced Displacement in Africa was jointly organized with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and took place at Yonhap's headquarters in central Seoul. The event gathered government officials, African envoys and diplomats, experts on Africa, and members of international organizations to discuss the pressing challenges faced by displaced Africans and refugees who have crossed borders due to conflict, climate change, or other causes.
The forum, sponsored by the Africa Forum, a study group of lawmakers, along with the Korea-Africa Foundation, aimed to highlight the realities and struggles of Africans forced to leave their homes. It also emphasized the role of the press in addressing these issues and raising public awareness.
Yonhap News Agency President and CEO Hwang Dae-il, in his opening address, stressed the urgent need for international humanitarian assistance to Africa. He called attention to the plight of refugees from the two-year-long civil war in Sudan, climate change, and other regional challenges. Hwang noted that despite the dire situation, the conflict has become a "forgotten war" overshadowed by other global crises such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Kim Sae-ryeo, representative of UNHCR Korea, in her welcoming remarks, highlighted the necessity for sustained humanitarian efforts from governments, international organizations, the press, and civil society to help African refugees regain hope and rebuild their lives.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a congratulatory video message, urged South Korea to show solidarity with Africa in addressing the refugee crisis and other key issues. He emphasized the interconnectedness of problems between Africa and South Korea, stating that challenges such as conflict, forcible displacement, and climate change are shared concerns.
Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR's regional director for East and Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes, underscored the potential for South Korea to play a significant role in improving education, energy, and connectivity for refugees through its innovative and advanced technology. He suggested that Korean partnerships with African institutions could illuminate new opportunities for displaced youth, who constitute more than half of Africa's refugee population.
The forum featured two presentation and discussion sessions, guiding participants through the history and current state of forced displacement in Africa while exploring how the South Korean press can contribute to addressing these issues.
In November of the previous year, Yonhap News Agency launched the Ubuntu Initiative, the first Africa-focused team established by a South Korean news outlet, to enhance awareness and understanding of Africa in Korean society.