Korea’s ODA Policy for Fragile States in Asia

Abstract

Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in New York in September 2015, increased attention has been placed on fragile states, where most people live under the poverty line. Because the SDGs focus more on marginalized people, it will become necessary to address issues concerning fragile and conflict-affected countries. Major donors have recognized the importance of supporting fragile states since the 1990s. They have each established strategies on fragility, and incorporated it into their country assistance strategies. Such emphasis on supporting fragile states was placed in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, 43% of the world’s impoverished population still leads a life in fragile states, and poverty is expected to become more concentrated in those countries by 2030. Therefore, the international community should invest more efforts into reducing poverty and meeting development needs in fragile or conflict-affected countries using multidimensional policy measures on fragility.