17th Forum of Cooperation “Central Asia-the Republic of Korea”: key aspects and prospects for the Middle Corridor. Cooperation experience for the Caucasus

In Seoul on November 4, another, 17th Forum of Cooperation “Central Asia-Republic of Korea” was held under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea Cho Tae Yolya. The forum was attended by delegations, headed by the heads of the foreign policy departments of the countries of Central Asia. The forum considered the key areas of partnership between the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, covering spheres such as transport and logistics, energy cooperation, digital transformation, and ecology.

According to the results of the forum, the heads of delegations adopted a joint statement and the working plan of the forum secretariat for 2025 and also familiarized themselves with the cultural heritage of the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea. An important event was the meeting of delegations with the President of the Republic of Korea Yun Sok Yole, who expressed his readiness to strengthen the agreements and develop cooperation with Central Asia. Turning to the leaders of the delegations of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, expressed gratitude for the hospitality provided during his state visits in June of this year and noted the willingness to realize the agreements reached during these visits. The 5th meeting of the Business Council “Central Asia-the Republic of Korea” also took place. By stating the importance of activating economic relations, the meeting participants examined the ways to expand partnerships in various industries. The meeting discussed the possibilities of expanding partnerships in energy, resources, and technological industries. It is planned to conduct the first Central Asia summit - the Republic of Korea in 2025 in Seoul, which emphasizes the strategic importance of the region for South Korea.

The Government of South Korea is making more and more efforts to strengthen ties with Central Asian countries against the backdrop of the growing strategic significance of the region. One of the key initiatives presented in recent years is the K-Silk Road project. This program includes support for the development of infrastructure, energy, and technological exchange with Central Asia, providing a stable partnership on a long-term basis. K-Silk Road also involves strengthening the connections between state and private sectors, which opens up opportunities for the implementation of large projects in the field of resources, energy, and processing industry mining. South Korea sees Central Asia as a strategically important partner that can supply resources for its economy.

Seoul believes that if South Korea, a technological giant, and Central Asian countries with rich reserves of natural gas and main minerals strengthen cooperation in the field of energy resources, this can benefit both parties.

The 17th Forum of Cooperation “Central Asia-the Republic of Korea” demonstrated the sustainable development of diplomatic and economic ties between the Republic of Korea and the countries of Central Asia. At the 17th Forum of Cooperation, delegations discussed topical issues, including supply chains, ecology and sustainable development, digitalization and technological cooperation, tourism, and cultural exchange.

The completion of the 17th Forum was marked by the adoption of a joint statement and the working plan of the Secretariat for 2025.

The goals and objectives of the forum

The first forum in 2007 opened a new page in the relations of the Republic of Korea with Central Asia, which previously did not have the experience of such regional formats. In subsequent years, the forum became a platform for discussing and implementing numerous projects in areas such as energy, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, and environmental protection. Since 2007, this forum has been an important platform to strengthen interregional cooperation, focused on maintaining sustainable growth and solving social and environmental issues. The regional format "Central Asia +" has become an important example of a partnership focused on mutually beneficial cooperation and economic integration.

The forum covers a wide range of areas of cooperation, which are of strategic importance for the countries of Central Asia:

In the field of economic and industrial cooperation, South Korea actively supports the modernization of industry and infrastructure in the region and promotes the involvement of investments and the introduction of new technologies. The forum discusses projects of transport corridors, which is especially important for strengthening the positions of Central Asia as a transit node connecting Asia and Europe. In the context of a global digital transformation, South Korea offers advanced experience in the field of technology and digital solutions that can help the countries of Central Asia to speed up modernization processes. One of the important aspects of cooperation is that Korea supports the efforts of Central Asia to introduce environmentally stable decisions.

Creating an analogy of the platform (forum) of the Caucasian-Asian cooperation meets the interests of the Caucasus

The initiative to create a regular cooperation forum between the countries of the Caucasus and their Asian partners, such as China, South Korea, and Central Asian countries, is of strategic importance and meets a number of pressing needs.

Firstly, this forum will create a permanent platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas, which is extremely important in conditions of rapidly changing world order and increasing global interdependence. Regular meetings will allow discussion of issues regarding economic, environmental, logistics, and cultural aspects, developing coordinated approaches to the solution of emerging challenges.

Secondly, such a forum will become a catalyst for economic cooperation, which is especially important for the countries of the Caucasus, which strive to strengthen their positions as transit nodes. By participating in the discussion of joint logistics and infrastructure projects, the countries of the region will be able to create more favorable conditions for trade and transportation, which, in turn, will attract investments and support economic growth.

In addition, the forum will allow discussion of environmental issues and exchanging experiences in the framework of a global climatic agenda, which is extremely relevant in the context of COP29 goals and the transition to sustainable practices. Asian partners, in particular South Korea and China, have advanced technologies and can share the best practices that will be useful for the countries of the Caucasus in the field of sustainable development.

Finally, cultural cooperation, including the exchange of experience and strengthening relations between societies, will help to build trust and mutual understanding, which will become the basis for a long-term partnership.

Gulnara Safarli

SR-CENTER.INFO