The seventeenth Cooperation Forum between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea tackled the issue of enhancing the contacts between the countries of Central Asia and South Korea in a variety of spheres with a special emphasis on transport, energy and strategic minerals.
Main Areas of Interest
The 17th Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum that took place in Seoul recently touched upon the intensification of relationships between South Korea and countries of Central Asia in various fields. This forum focused on transport and energy, critical minerals and digital transformation as well as environmental issues and… tourism.
Transport Cooperation
Murat Nurtleu, Secretary of State of the Republic of Kazakhstan asserted that without transport connectivity the economy of any region cannot develop. He spoke of Kazakhstan’s ambitions to construct the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route which aims to link Asia with Europe through improved cargo traffic. Nurtleu called upon the Korean side to take a lead in works to increase the capacity of the route to 10 million tons annually.
Energy and Mines
As for the energy part, Nurtleu drew the attention primary of the audience primarily on the reserves of rare earths, and uranium that exist in Kazakhstan and urged the audience members from Korea to involve in the mining and processing activities. In addition, he suggested to Korea to take part in an alliance for building a nuclear plant in Kazakhstan.
Read More: Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum Boosts Trade, Energy, and Tech
Historical Trade Relationships
Almost all trade and cultural exchanges between the countries of Central Asia and South Korea extend back to the times of the SILK ROAD, as has been pointed out by Nurtleu. He asserted Korea’s growing role in the region’s economic and technological development.
Kyrgyzstan’s Input
Asein Isaev, Kyrgyzstan’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, also spoke at the forum. He said that South Korea is a developed high-tech country that looks forward to developing the energy resources, rare earth elements, and transportation logistics of Central Asia.
S.Korea’s Determination
While attending the forum, President Yoon-suk Yeol of Korea met with leaders from Central Asia. He reiterated Korea’s commitment to the region’s K-silk Road initiative. This refers to the regional strategic program designed for the infrastructural enhancement of central Asia in exchange for better access to its raw materials and strategic minerals.
Furthermore, President Yoon had been to Kazakhstan back in June where he expressed the need for a strategic partnership to be built over the issues of securing critical minerals.
Conclusions:
The 17th BOK Forum is a milestone in enhancing Central Asia – Republic of Korea relations. The forum focused on transport connectivity, energy resources, as well as critical minerals and set the direction for further cooperation and development.