KOREAN NET

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Chung Young-ai on June 23 last year signs a memorandum of understanding on the setup of the United Nations Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality at Government Complex-Seoul. (Ministry of Gender Equality and Family)

The United Nations will set up in Korea the UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality in a first for Asia.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on Feb. 22 said the government and the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women signed an agreement on the establishment and operation of the center.

The center will be the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region and the first U.N. body for gender equality to be based in Korea.

The accord said the ministry and the U.N. agreed to set up the center in Korea and discuss the required procedures including its location.

The center's functions will include reinforcement of women's economic empowerment; eradication of violence against women; women, peace and security; humanitarian actions and reduction of disaster risk; research and development in major sectors including gender data and statistics; and education and training.

The U.N. entity in November 2019 suggested the establishment of the center and set the legal basis to that end through an Exchange of Notes.

The center will launch in the first half of this year after undergoing preparation procedures including hiring staff and leasing an office.

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Chung Young-ai said, "The Centre is expected to serve as an excellent stepping stone for enhancing gender equality policy capacity in Asia-Pacific countries and strengthening international cooperation.”

By Jung Joo-ri and Yoon Hee Young
etoilejr@korea.kr