Learning and Cooperation in International Development and Climate Policy: The case of Germany and South Korea

This panel delves into the considerable alignment of global sustainable development priorities between Germany and the Republic of Korea despite their geographical separation. Notably, both nations share a common commitment to development policy and international climate action, an alignment that holds immense potential for enhanced cooperation in today’s evolving global landscape.
This panel brings together development scholars from Germany and Korea to identify commonalities and differences in the approaches and priorities of both countries to pursue and support global sustainable development. While different in scope, focus and theme, the contributions share a common objective for Korean and German development scholars to learn from one another.
Germany’s historical role as a founding member of the international development cooperation system juxtaposes with Korea’s more recent entry into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and its Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2010. Korea has transformed from a significant development assistance recipient to an active provider, a transition mirrored in its engagement in international climate finance.
Within this dynamic context, the panel thoroughly examines key aspects such as the evolving development policy profiles of Germany and Korea, their roles in international organizations, and their shared commitment to international climate policies. It also explores avenues for deeper collaboration between these like-minded partners, all against the backdrop of an evolving geopolitical focus, including the new Indo-Pacific emphasis.