The Deputy Secretary-General, Kim Yong-Hi took part in the Joint EC-UNDP Workshop in Mozambique from March 4 to 8 on behalf of the National Election Commission(NEC) of Republic of Korea: Mr. Kim introduced the establishment of the Association of World Election Bodies(A-WEB) and asked for active participation, targeting electoral bodies in African countries. The participants showed positive responses and supports for establishing the A-WEB.

It seems a significantly meaningful outcome of the General Assembly of UNIORE back in February in which the NEC explained the foundation of the A-WEB and got the back-ups and positive reactions from Central and South American election bodies: All these will be stepping stones of expecting good results in starting the A-WEB.

The Workshop opened in Mozambique was jointly hosted by European Commission(EC) and United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) with the title of ''''Joint EC-UNDP Thematic Workshop on Sustainability in Electoral Administration: Adequate Resourcing for Credible Elections'''' in which about 200 persons from 50 countries/international organizations including election bodies in Africa and election related international organizations such as EC, UNDP, IFES and International IDEA participated.

Mr. Kim Jeong-Gon, the Director General of International Electoral Affairs presented the case study on ''''Securing independency and impartiality of election bodies'''' commented by an African participant that Korean election and democracy''''s development case will be a great role model for the countries in democratic transition.

Election bodies in Middle East and North African Region including Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen which have pursued the democratization under the name of ''''Jasmine Revolution'''' expressed vigorous supports of the establishment of the A-WEB, showing their willingness to take part in the Inaugural Assembly of the A-WEB held in Seoul, in October this year.

In addition, Senegal''''s National Election Commission leading the association of election bodies in West African Region and Electoral Commission of the Republic of South Africa leading the association of election bodies in South African Region respectively expressed their full support for the foundation of the A-WEB. They also said that they will aggressively let election bodies belonged to the regional association participate in the Inaugural Assembly of the A-WEB in October.

The NEC of Korea spurs the preparation of the 6th Global Electoral Organization Conference and Inaugural Assembly of the A-WEB which will be held in October 14~17 with the goal of making 150 EMBs/International Organizations around the world take part in by having Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of UN as well as VIPs attend.