13th meeting of the Central Asia - Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum held

Seoul, November 25, 2020 - A Kazakh delegation led by Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi took part in the 13th meeting of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum. The event was also attended by the foreign ministers of the Republic of Korea - Kang Kyung-hwa, Tajikistan - Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Turkmenistan - Rashid Meredov, Uzbekistan - Abdulaziz Kamilov and First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan - Nurlan Niyazaliev.

The foreign ministers discussed cooperation across healthcare, online education, technical standardization, and the environment.

During the discussion on healthcare, the delegations had a comprehensive exchange of views on effective cooperation in the combat against the COVID-19 pandemic, overcoming its negative consequences for the region's economy and enhancing foreign economic activity.

The parties also touched upon the issues of online education, professional development of teaching staff, monitoring of attendance and conducting student assessments. Special attention was paid to the curriculum and inducement system. The participants agreed to exchange experience in implementing educational programs using digital technologies.

Discussing technical standardization, the heads of the delegations considered the elimination of technical barriers to trade, improving the quality and competitive power of products, as well as the national standards of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea.

The Forum participants agreed on the need for deep systemic changes towards a green economy, reducing the burden on the environment and natural resources.

The economic and technological potential of the Republic of Korea is of special interest in terms of modernizing the economy of Central Asia. In order to minimize potential socio-economic damage to the region, it was decided that the Forum should direct its efforts to restoring trade and economic cooperation. The participants intend to focus on strategically important areas of multilateral cooperation.

The first meeting of the Business Council with the participation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Central Asian countries and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) was held online on the sidelines of the Forum.

It was noted that the strengthening of multi-faceted cooperation between the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea on the basis of mutual respect and benefit meets the common interests of the region and will play an important role in sustainable development.

Following the Forum, a Joint Statement was adopted by the foreign ministers of the Central Asian States and the Republic of Korea.