MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
FOR
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AND
THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ("MOFA") of the Republic of Korea ("ROK") and the United States Agency for International Development ("USAID") (each a "Participant" and together the "Participants");

Intending to extend the impact and increase the effectiveness of their development policies and programs to achieve more positive, sustainable, and measurable development outcomes;

Being committed to promoting sustainable, transparent, and accountable development practices, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, in consideration of the ROK's New Southern Policy and the United States' lndo- Pacific Strategy;

Desiring to articulate the commonalities between the Participants' objectives and approaches, and to establish a basis for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the Participants based on a shared interest to help advance governments, civil society, and the private sector in partner countries on their journeys to self-reliance and sustainable development;

Considering that MOFA is a government entity of the ROK that establishes and carries out foreign policies, development cooperation and humanitarian policies, and economic diplomacy; administers treaties and international agreements; protects and supports overseas Korean nationals; promotes cultural cooperation, and analyzes international affairs; and

Considering that USAID is an independent U.S. Government (USG) Agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the United States Secretary of State. On behalf of the American people, USAID promotes and demonstrates democratic values abroad, and advances a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America's foreign policy, USAID leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance;

Have reached the following understanding:

Paragraph 1: Goals and Objectives

The Participants have the following strategic goals and objectives in common:

(a) advancing the application of development thought and practice across the Indo-Pacific region to achieve the key objectives of the ROK's New Southern Policy and the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy;

(b) working together to identify private sector counterparts and non-governmental organizations in both countries to address development challenges and advance economic growth and create jobs in partner countries; and

( c) recognizing and sharing different development related skills, including the planning and delivery of development assistance programs, and leveraging the comparative advantage of each Participant to assist governments, civil society, and the private sector in partner countries on their journeys to self-reliance.

Paragraph 2: Areas of Cooperation

Under this Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), the Participants intend to accomplish the following:

(a) identify areas of mutual interest in the Indo-Pacific region based on an increased understanding of each Participant's development policy and strategy;

(b) identify areas of mutual interest beyond the Indo-Pacific, particularly in youth and education initiatives;

( c) identify and promote trilateral cooperati_on with the private sector and other stakeholders;

( d) explore how exchanges of staff might enhance institutional linkages between the Participants and the implementing entities;

( e) develop an annual work plan that specifies expected cooperation the Participants and implementing entities intend to carry out consistent with this MOU;

(t) identify appropriate milestones and the means to report on progress; and

(g) pursue any other areas of cooperation decided upon jointly by the Participants.

Paragraph 3: Implementation

1. The entities responsible for implementing this MOU are as follows:

   (a) for MOFA: The Korea International Cooperation Agency ("KOICA"); and

   (b) for USAID: The Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning.

2. The Participants intend to carry out the following illustrative activities under this MOU: (a) supporting exchanges and/or secondments of staff to increase understanding of the each other's development cooperation policy and implementation;

   (b) coordinating with the Brookings Institution on an initial landscape review identifying areas of shared priorities and overlap between the Participants and other development efforts;

   (c) increasing programmatic alignment in sectors such as women's economic empowerment, the digital economy, youth, health, and education;

   (d) expanding engagement with the private sector;

   (e) reviewing progress as a part of or as an addendum to the annual ROK-U.S. Senior Economic Dialogue; and

   (f) any other activities decided upon jointly by the Participants.

Paragraph 4: Publicity and Communications

1. Public communications related to this MOU are expected to be made only with the consent of the Participants. The Participants are expected to acknowledge appropriately each other's efforts in any public communications. Each Participant intends to respond to a communication request from the other within five (5) business days.
2. Joint branding may be used with the written consent of each Participant. Each Participant may make its logo available for use on specific materials at its sole discretion. Each Participant is expected to obtain written approval prior to the publication of any information and materials that contain the other's logo. The Participants expect that any such materials give equal prominence.
3. The Participants intend to respect each other's confidentiality policies and practices, as possible, with the mutual understanding that they may publicize the existence of this MOU and its objectives without disclosing any confidential or proprietary information of the other Participant, in accordance with their policies or procedures regarding the public disclosure of information, and subject to the prior written consent of the other Participant.

Paragraph 5: Reporting and Collaboration

The Participants understand the need for regular reporting on activities and results and intend to collaborate to meet any information needs or applicable reporting requirements in connection with the cooperation under this MOU. At a minimum, the Participants intend to hold quarterly telephone calls between the designated points of contact identified in Paragraph 7 of this MOU and meet at least once a year. The Participants expect that joint efforts in many locations might necessitate more frequent, working-level contact and intend that the designated points of contact at their headquarters will facilitate establishing country-level points of contact, as needed to coordinate the implementation of this MOU.

Paragraph 6: General Provisions

1. Relation to the 2018 MOU: Cooperation between the Participants is a component of their mutual partnership and serves as a complement to the MOU between the MOFA and the Department of State of the United States of America concerning cooperation on economic issues entered into on December 7, 2018, and is subject to the terms and provisions of that MOU.
2. Termination: Cooperation under this MOU is expected to commence upon signature by both Participants, and to remain in effect for three (3) years. The Participants may review and decide to continue their cooperation under this MOU by mutual written consent. Either Participant may discontinue this MOU at any time. A Participant should endeavor to provide thirty (30) days' advance written notice of its intent to discontinue participation under the MOU to the other.
3. Modifications: The Participants may modify this MOU by mutual written consent.
4. Effect of MOU: This MOU is not an international agreement and does not give rise to rights or obligations under international law. The Participants specifically acknowledge that this MOU is not an obligation of funds, nor does it constitute a legally binding commitment by any Participant or create any rights in any third party. The Participants intend to maintain their own separate and unique missions and mandates, and their own accountabilities. Unless specifically provided otherwise, the cooperation between the Participants as outlined in this MOU, is not intended to be construed as a partnership or other type of legal entity or personality. Each Participant is expected to accept full and sole responsibility for any and all expenses incurred by it related to this MOU. Nothing in this MOU is intended to be construed as superseding, or interfering in any way with, any agreements or contracts entered into by the Participants, either prior or subsequent to the signing of this MOU. Nothing in this MOU is intended to be construed as an exclusive working relationship.

Paragraph 7: Points of Contact

The primary Points of Contact for each Participant for the implementation of this MOU appear below. Each Participant may, by written notice, replace or identify additional representatives .

Signed in duplicate at Washington D.C. on the 30th day of September, 2019, in the English language.