Tashkent hosted an international expert forum titled “Enhancing the Korea – Central Asia partnership: shared vision for the future”.

The event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uzbekistan, together with the International Institute for Central Asia, and became part of the long-term cooperation mechanisms between Seoul and the countries of the region.

Representatives of government bodies, academia, analytical centers, and the business community of Korea and Central Asian states took part in the forum. They discussed the region’s key challenges – the energy transition, climate change, digitalization, and human capital development.

The forum program included three key thematic sessions. The first was dedicated to developing business partnerships and humanitarian cooperation. It included discussions of new opportunities to expand trade, investment, and educational and cultural exchanges, as well as the role of the Korean diaspora in strengthening intercultural cooperation.

The second session focused on deepening cooperation in clean energy and critical minerals. Experts discussed ways to develop renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and establish sustainable supply chains for strategically essential resources.

During the third session, participants discussed how to stimulate economic growth through digital transformation and the introduction of artificial intelligence. They examined the potential of digital technologies in industry, education, and public administration, as well as issues related to the development of innovation ecosystems.

Following the discussions, political and expert recommendations are expected to be prepared for the 2026 summit’s agenda, along with the identification of new investment areas and joint projects, and the strengthening of institutional ties among the participating countries’ structures.

[gallery-26424]

Aziza Alimova, photos by Nosirjon Khaydarov, UzA