- Provide economic and welfare benefits to residents in 121 countries through granting ODA in ways such as giving out portable vaccine refrigerators in Tanzania and installing rainwater purification system in Vietnam
The Ministry of Science and ICT (hereinafter "MSIT") announced that it had requested 19.6 billion won in budget for science & technology and ICT Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects for 2021, which means increased funding from the previous year, in order to support developing countries to combat coronavirus and achieve sustainable development.
MSIT has been striving to improve the lives of residents in developing countries through various S&T and ICT ODA projects including the projects to support S&T in developing countries.
In the field of science and technology, global problem-solving hubs using appropriate technology (helping seven countries, support for hubs in two countries has been terminated) are solving urgent problems faced by developing countries.
- In the global problem-solving hub located in Tanzania, low-cost and portable vaccine refrigerators have been developed by utilizing the capabilities of local transport vehicles such as motorbikes and six refrigerators have been provided to local health clinics. The hub in Tanzania has contributed to distributing vaccines in remote areas illustrated by providing two refrigerators to neighboring countries, Uganda and Ethiopia, respectively.
- The global problem-solving hub located in Vietnam provided benefits to 16,000 residents by installing rainwater purification system and water-saving toilets to solve drinking water problems caused by poor water supply and groundwater contamination.
- In addition, the global problem-solving hubs have developed and distributed 62 appropriate technologies so far, including water treatment facilities, processing of agricultural products and solar power plants and has provided economic and welfare benefits to about 70,000 residents by training 4,300 workers.
- From 2021, MSIT plans to work together with the Korean Intellectual Property Office to build on the current progress made and carry out new projects so that past technical achievements can be commercialized.
In the field of ICT, information access centers were set up in 58 cities in 48 countries to bridge digital divide and train professionals in the field of information and communications.
- Amid the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the global society, Paraguay's information access center used a 3D printer to produce medical face shields and distributed them to hospitals, while Costa Rica's information access center supported universities to offer remote lectures, helping developing countries combat COVID-19.
- In addition, the centers have assisted in providing ICT policy advice, broadcasting facilities and digital manufacturing education using 3D printers. Starting this year, a project has been kicked off to establish an education broadcasting station to bridge the educational gap in Cambodia.
Director General Jung Hee-kwon of International Cooperation Bureau, MSIT said, "MSIT has contributed a lot to developing countries becoming more independent so far, by utilizing science, technology and ICT. In considering the transformation that the international community will go through in the future zero-contact society, MSIT plans to proactivey identify and support ODA projects high in demand and have high satisfaction from developing countries and ultimately strive to enhance inter-ministerial convergence projects."
For further information, please contact Deputy Director Han Junhee of the Ministry of Science and ICT (jneehan@korea.kr).