▲ This photo, provided by the foreign ministry on July 16, 2026, shows Chang Wook-jin, coordinator-general for international organizations and global affairs at the ministry, delivering a speech during the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) and pledged to expand support for developing countries in such areas as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation, the foreign ministry said Thursday.

Chang Wook-jin, coordinator-general for international organizations and global affairs at the ministry, attended the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held under the auspices of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York from July 7-15, according to the ministry.

The annual forum serves as the U.N.'s main platform for reviewing progress on the implementation of the SDGs and discussing follow-up measures.

Chang said the achievement of the goals faces serious challenges amid armed conflicts, climate change and other global crises, but stressed that they remain the international community's most important shared road map for the future, according to the ministry.

He highlighted Seoul's efforts to strengthen momentum for SDG implementation, including collaboration with globally recognized K-pop artists, such as BTS, BLACKPINK and aespa, to raise public awareness of the goals.

The official also reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to supporting sustainable development in developing countries by leveraging its strengths in AI, digital technology, health care and education.

Chang said the government plans to continue the Humanitarian Assistance Flagship Program this year with a budget of US$120 million. The initiative was launched last year in partnership with U.N. agencies, including the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) and the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), to support countries facing significant humanitarian needs.

On the sidelines of the forum, Chang met with U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and other senior U.N. Secretariat officials and exchanged views on key global issues, including the selection of the next U.N. chief and developments in the Middle East, the ministry said.

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