A workshop in Dhaka highlighted the positive contributions of the World Friends Korea (WFK), a South Korean volunteer programme, in Bangladesh's education, health, and technical training sectors as well as the “enduring” Seoul-Dhaka ties.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) hosted the workshop.

The workshop brought together guests from the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Expatriates, Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), and many other government organisations, high officials, educators, and dedicated South Korean volunteers.

In his welcome remarks, Junsu Kim, deputy country director of KOICA Bangladesh Office, emphasised the profound impact of these volunteers in sectors such as education, health, and technical training, and reaffirmed KOICA’s commitment to developing skilled human resources in Bangladesh.

The workshop featured keynote speeches from prominent figures, including Taeyoung Kim, country director of KOICA Bangladesh Office; Saiful Islam Chowdhury, additional secretary at Planning and Development wing of Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment; Md Ashraf Hossain, additional director general of BMET; abd Masuma Akter, joint secretary, Asia 2, ERD.

Saiful Islam Chowdhury highlighted the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea. In his speech, he praised the role of the WFK volunteers in strengthening Bangladesh’s workforce in various sectors.

He expressed his gratitude to KOICA and the volunteers, emphasizing that their work directly contributes to Bangladesh’s socio-economic development, particularly in areas that align with the government's goals for sustainable progress and human resource development.

Taeyoung Kim, in his speech, underscored KOICA’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development by aligning the efforts of the WFK programme with the country’s ambition to become a high-income nation.

He expressed his appreciation for the strong partnership between South Korea and Bangladesh and emphasized KOICA’s commitment to strengthening the collaboration in the fields of education, health, and capacity-building. Kim also spoke about the long-term positive impact of the WFK volunteers and the value they bring to the communities they serve.

Each speaker underscored the importance of the bilateral partnership and the positive contributions of the WFK volunteer program to Bangladesh’s development.

This year, Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) announced the Best WFK Host Organization 2025. KOICA Deputy Country Director handed over the award to BRDB officials.

The morning sessions included a comprehensive briefing on the KOICA and WFK volunteer program details, followed by a presentation on successful volunteer project cases.

After a group photo session and lunch, the workshop resumed with insightful presentations on various volunteer activities and initiatives. The event concluded with an engaging group discussion and a question-and-answer session, where participants shared their experiences and ideas for enhancing the WFK volunteer program.

The workshop’s closing remarks were delivered by Sujin Kong, deputy country director of KOICA Bangladesh Office, who expressed gratitude for the active participation and valuable contributions of all attendees.

The workshop reinforced the strong foundation of friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea, paving the way for future collaborative efforts.

KOICA established in 1991, enhances the effectiveness of Korea's grant aid programs for developing countries.

KOICA is dedicated to supporting sustainable development through technical cooperation, capacity building, and humanitarian assistance. The World Friends Korea (WFK) volunteer program, a key initiative of KOICA, dispatches volunteers to partner countries to share expertise and skills in various sectors, including education, health, and community development, fostering mutual understanding and contributing to the development of Bangladesh.