Joint Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the Outcomes of the 17th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum
Unofficial Translation
1. On November 4, 2024, the 17th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum (hereinafter referred to as the Forum) was held in Seoul. The participants included the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Cho Tae-yul; Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu; Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov; First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Asein Isaev; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Imomi Sodiq; and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea, Begench Durdyyev (hereinafter referred to as the Heads of Delegations). Representatives of sectoral ministries and agencies, academic circles, youth organizations, and the private sector of the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as Representatives) also attended the Forum.
2. The Heads of Delegation highly appreciated the Forum’s activities, which have been successfully held sixteen times since 2007 as a regular multilateral consultative platform, and acknowledged its contribution to enhancing practical cooperation between the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea. In addition to this Forum at the ministerial level, the Heads of Delegations agreed to maintain close cooperation to successfully organize the “First Korea-Central Asia Summit” next year.
3. The Heads of Delegation emphasized that, based on the principles of mutual respect and mutually beneficial partnership, the Forum significantly contributes to the development of cooperation between the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea in various fields, including energy and infrastructure, critical mineral resources and supply chains, transport and logistics, education, science and technology, innovation, information and communication technology, digitalization, textile and forestry industries, agriculture, climate and environment, healthcare, tourism, cultural and humanitarian interaction, and partnerships between public organizations.
4. The Heads of Delegation expressed a shared view that the complete denuclearization and sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula would contribute to strengthening cooperation between the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea for the sake of universal prosperity. In this context, they emphasized the importance of adhering to international commitments under the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions. The Korean side expressed gratitude to the Central Asian states for supporting all efforts of the Republic of Korea to create a nuclear-free, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula.
It was noted that the dynamic and comprehensive development of the Central Asian states would ensure the region’s sustainable and stable growth. In this context, the Korean side highly valued and supported the Consultative Meetings of the Central Asian Heads of State in deepening regional cooperation, expanding multilateral interaction, strengthening international standing, and promoting peace, friendship, trust, and neighborly relations in Central Asia.
5. The Heads of Delegation of the Central Asian states supported the Korea-Central Asia K-SILK ROAD Initiative, the first strategy for Central Asia announced by the Republic of Korea in June 2024, and agreed to maintain close cooperation with the government of the Republic of Korea to implement this initiative.
6. The Heads of Delegation highlighted the growing role of parliamentary diplomacy as an effective tool for global interaction in ensuring peace and security. They praised the outcomes of the Second Meeting of the Chairpersons of the Parliaments of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, held on October 14, 2024, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
7. During the Forum, the Representatives exchanged views on cooperation in supply chains, climate change, environmental protection, digitalization, and tourism to address global challenges jointly and achieve universal prosperity and development.
7.1. (Supply Chains) The Representatives recognized the importance of managing risks in supply chains in light of recent changes in the global economic environment. They agreed on the necessity of strengthening supply chain cooperation, focusing on energy and resources, between resource-rich Central Asia and technology-advanced Korea. They discussed establishing a “Central Asia-Korea Supply Chain Dialogue” as an institutional framework for such cooperation.
7.2. (Climate Change and Environmental Protection) The Representatives addressed the interconnectivity between climate, water, food, and energy in areas such as climate change adaptation, water resource management, and climate-optimized agriculture. They agreed to find mutually beneficial and sustainable solutions to global challenges. They appreciated Tajikistan’s membership in the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), making all five Central Asian states members. This development strengthens the foundation for collaboration in achieving low-carbon green growth in the region and advancing cooperation in areas such as smart water management, hydropower, waste recycling, afforestation, and combating desertification. The Representatives agreed to expand cooperation in environmental protection and, on this basis, strengthen collaboration on climate change between the Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea by promoting projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and more.
7.3. (Digitalization) The Representatives acknowledged the need for collaboration between Central Asia and Korea to bridge the digital divide by developing and enhancing digital infrastructure. They emphasized accelerating digital transformation and introducing digital services, including artificial intelligence (AI). Recognizing the positive impact of e-commerce expansion on trade and economic activity, the Representatives agreed to explore ways to strengthen cooperation. In the fields of advanced technologies and digital transformation, they also highlighted the importance of human resource development through training programs and discussed measures to enhance ties in digital governance, including electronic personnel management systems.
7.4. (Tourism) Based on the importance of humanitarian exchanges for effective cooperation between Central Asia and Korea, the Representatives agreed on the need to foster sustainable tourism and diversify exchanges for mutual growth. To promote mutual tourism, the Representatives decided to exchange information to develop tourism packages, including medical, educational, and eco-tourism, and strengthen cooperation in the aviation sector.
They welcomed the parties’ intention to advance tourism cooperation and hold the first meeting on establishing the Central Asia-Korea Tourism Dialogue, held on September 5, 2024.
8. The Heads of Delegation expressed satisfaction over the activities of the Forum Secretariat, officially established in July 2017 as a permanent body implementing projects approved at annual Forums and fostering public-private partnerships to support long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation between Central Asia and Korea.
Additionally, the Heads of Delegation praised the Secretariat’s contribution to enhancing midterm and longterm cooperation in six priority areas of collaboration between Central Asia and Korea.
The Heads of delegation welcomed the results of the Secretariat's projects implemented under the 2024 Work Plan, including the secondment of Central Asian representatives to the Secretariat ("Resident Fellow"), research on measures to enhance transportation cooperation, building a network of future leaders in critical mineral resources, the Smart Water Management internship in Korea, the first Central Asia-Republic of Korea Think Tank Forum, the 5th meeting of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Business Council, a seminar on rehabilitation medicine in Central Asia, continued research on developing the traditional medicine industry in Central Asia, the Central Asia Spring Festival, the Eurasian Youth Academy program, and debates on higher education. An agreement was reached to facilitate the consistent implementation of cooperation projects included in the Secretariat's 2025 Work Plan.
9. Following the Secretariat Council meeting, the Heads of Delegation approved the Secretariat’s 2025 Work Plan and amendments to its regulations.
10. The Heads of Delegation expressed gratitude to the Korean side for the high level of preparation, organization, and hosting of the 17th Forum and thematic meetings in 2024 under its chairmanship.
11. The Heads of Delegation agreed to hold the 18th Forum in November 2026 in Uzbekistan. The specific dates, venue, and agenda will be finalized through diplomatic channels.
Seoul, November 4, 2024