On 4 November 2024, the 17th “Central Asia-Republic of Korea” Cooperation Forum was held in Seoul under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yul.
The Forum was attended by delegations headed by the heads of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Central Asian countries. The Turkmen side was represented by Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea B.Durdyyev.
The key areas of partnership between Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, covering such areas as transport and logistics cooperation, energy cooperation, digital transformation and environmental issues were addressed at the Forum.
Speaking at the Forum, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea emphasized the commitment of Turkmenistan to the development of comprehensive ties within the “Central Asia - Republic of Korea” Cooperation Forum and highlighted the prospects for further expansion of relations in such sectors as economy, transport and logistics, science and education, medicine, tourism, digitalisation and high technologies, environmental protection, industry, agriculture, cultural and humanitarian ties.
The participants of the Forum paid special attention to the results of the second meeting of the speakers of the parliaments of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, which was held on 14 October 2024 in Ashgabat.
Following the main session of the Forum, four plenary sessions on Supply Chains, Environment, Digitalisation and Tourism were held in a hybrid format. Representatives of ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan took part in the sessions online.
At the end of the Forum, the heads of delegations adopted a Joint Statement and the 2025 Work Plan of the Forum Secretariat, and also got acquainted with the exhibition of cultural heritage of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea.
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In the afternoon, the heads of the Forum delegations had a joint meeting with President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol.
Addressing the heads of delegations of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended during his state visits to these countries in June and noted the readiness of the Korean side to implement the agreements reached during these visits.
Addressing the Turkmen side, the President of the Republic of Korea asked to convey cordial greetings to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
During the meeting, willingness to deepen political-diplomatic, economic and cultural ties within the framework of the format “Central Asia - Republic of Korea” was expressed.
On 5 November 2024, in the framework of the 17th Cooperation Forum, the successive 5th meeting of the Business Council “Central Asia - Republic of Korea” was held. Stating the importance of intensifying economic relations, the meeting participants considered ways to expand partnership in various sectors.
