Seoul prepares for first South Korea–Central Asia summit
The first South Korea–Central Asia summit will take place in the South Korean capital of Seoul on Wednesday, with the participation of President Lee Jae Myung and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Ahead of the six-party meeting, the South Korean president will hold separate bilateral talks with each of the five heads of state, The Korea Herald reports.
Schedule of bilateral meetings
The president of Uzbekistan is set to meet with Lee Jae Myung on Monday. Talks with the presidents of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are scheduled for the following day. On Wednesday, before the start of the main summit, the South Korean president will meet with the leaders of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The presidents of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan will arrive in South Korea on state visits, while the leaders of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will make official visits.
Declaration and cooperation
According to the South Korean presidential administration, the summit is expected to elevate cooperation that has developed at the ministerial level since the launch of the South Korea–Central Asia Cooperation Forum in 2007. Following the meeting, the parties plan to adopt the Seoul Declaration, which will set out a framework for a long-term partnership.
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Seoul said it seeks to combine Central Asia’s critical minerals and energy resources with South Korean exploration and processing technologies. The stated areas include diversifying global supply chains, expanding opportunities for South Korean companies in infrastructure and industrial projects, as well as cooperation in customs, regulation and intellectual property protection.
Post-summit program
After the talks, the six leaders will take part in the South Korea–Central Asia business summit, which is expected to bring together around 500 government and business representatives. An official dinner is scheduled for the same evening.
South Korea also plans to develop cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, science, combating climate change, water resource management and disaster preparedness. Separately, the country’s authorities intend to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism, drugs and cybercrime.
