New york: 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.

According to Yonhap News Agency, 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. 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 highlighted the challenges faced in achieving these goals amid armed conflicts, climate change, and other global crises, but emphasized their importance as the international community's shared road map for the future. He pointed out Seoul's efforts to bolster SDG implementation, including collaborations with globally recognized K-pop artists like BTS, BLACKPINK, and aespa to raise public awareness of the goals.

The official also reiterated South Korea's commitment to supporting sustainable development in developing countries by leveraging its strengths in AI, digital technology, health care, and education. Chang mentioned that the government plans to continue the Humanitarian Assistance Flagship Program this year with a budget of US$120 million. This initiative, launched last year in partnership with U.N. agencies such as the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) and the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), aims to support countries facing significant humanitarian needs.

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