Joint Statement on Launching the Korea-Central Asia Think Tank Forum

On November 20, 2023, the Korea-Central Asia Think Tank Roundtable Conference was held in Seoul, with the participation of the Korea Foundation (operator of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat), the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Center for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Korea, and the International Institute for Central Asia of Uzbekistan. The roundtable, which focused on cooperation between think tanks and experts from Korea and Central Asia, was initiated as a follow-up to a proposal made on October 25, 2022 at the 15th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum held in Busan.

Representatives of the Sides engaged in discussions aimed at reviewing the outcomes of cooperation between Korea and Central Asia since the establishment of diplomatic relationships, as well as future perspectives to further develop reciprocal relations. The representatives expressed that the role of strategic research institutes is crucial to further elevating the level of cooperation between Korea and Central Asian countries by developing collaborative policy strategies and raising a visionary cooperative agenda.

The representatives stressed that to these ends, a dialogue platform between think tanks and experts from Korea and Central Asian countries should be created and held on a regular basis. Accordingly, the establishment of the Korea-Central Asia Think Tank Forum was proposed as a cooperative network between major research institutes in Korea and Central Asia.

In this regard, the representatives agreed to launch the Korea-Central Asia Think Tank Forum with the following orientation:

- The forum will convene on an annual basis, based on the principle of reciprocity.

- The first forum will take place in the Republic of Korea in 2024.

- The forum members will participate in in-depth discussions on their shared regional and global issues.

- At the recommendation of an existing member institution, new member(s) may be accepted into or participate in meetings of the forum with the aim of furthering its effective operation and function.

The six representatives affirmed their intentions to continue consultations to realize the establishment of the forum.