17th Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum Held in Seoul, Fostering Regional Partnerships
On November 4, 2024, the 17th Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum took place in Seoul, with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu, representing the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The forum addressed crucial aspects of collaboration between Central Asian countries and South Korea, highlighting transport and logistics, energy, digital transformation, and environmental initiatives.
In his remarks, Minister Nurtleu underscored the critical role of transport connectivity in driving sustainable economic growth in the region. He highlighted Kazakhstan’s efforts to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which provides a secure, efficient corridor for trade between Asia and Europe. Minister Nurtleu invited Korean businesses to contribute to expanding this route’s capacity, which is set to reach 10 million tons per year by 2025, further positioning Central Asia as a logistics bridge between the continents.
On energy cooperation, Nurtleu spoke about Kazakhstan’s abundant natural resources, including rare earth metals and uranium, which meet 40% of global demand. He encouraged Korean involvement in extraction and processing projects, as well as a potential consortium to build a nuclear power plant, which he emphasized as crucial for regional energy security.
Environmental issues also featured prominently, with Kazakhstan prioritizing its partnership with Seoul on climate change and sustainable development. Nurtleu stressed the importance of collaboration on water management modernization and renewable energy development, including a willingness to work with South Korea on restoring the Aral Sea with advanced water management technologies.
Kazakhstan also stands out in digital transformation, ranking among the UN’s top 10 countries for online services. Minister Nurtleu called on South Korean companies to jointly explore projects in artificial intelligence, Big Data, and technological advancements that can enhance regional innovation.
Cultural and tourism cooperation was also underscored as vital for strengthening public diplomacy. Minister Nurtleu invited Korean partners to help develop Kazakhstan’s tourism infrastructure, highlighting an increase in mutual tourism interest between the two nations.
“Central Asia and the Republic of Korea are natural partners, united by a shared history, Altai heritage, and trade relations dating back to the Silk Road,” Nurtleu stated. “The Republic of Korea plays an increasingly vital role in advancing the economic and technological growth of Central Asia.”
The forum concluded with a Joint Statement and an approved Work Plan for 2025. Minister Nurtleu expressed optimism that the forum’s outcomes will lead to substantial agreements at the upcoming Central Asia – Republic of Korea Summit scheduled for next year.
