Director of the International Institute for Central Asia Javlon Vakhabov received a delegation from South Korea consisting of representatives of leading research institutions and analytical centers led by Executive Vice-President of the Korea Foundation Rhee Jong Kook.

The guests were represented by the heads and researchers of Kyung Hee University, the Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, the Asia-Pacific Research Center at Hanyang University, the Center for International Energy Cooperation, and the Environment Institute.

The experts exchanged views on the prospects of mutual relations and strategic partnership, especially in the context of the agreements reached following the recent visit of the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol to Uzbekistan.

At the meeting, representatives of the two countries’ think tanks focused on filling the First Summit of Heads of State in the “Central Asia + Republic of Korea” format, to be held in Seoul in 2025, with practical content. In this regard, the parties agreed to unite the efforts of academic circles to develop concrete proposals for the development of political dialogue, trade-economic and investment cooperation, and the expansion of humanitarian exchanges within this multilateral platform.

The parties also outlined plans for a closer and more comprehensive academic partnership. In particular, the meeting participants advocated the creation of effective mechanisms for expert interaction, including the conclusion of agreements on research cooperation between IICA and specialized analytical centers of the Republic of Korea.

G.Khonnazarov, UzA