Seoul Central Asia-South Korea Cooperation Forum: Summit to Be Held in 2025

The 17th Central Asia — Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum was held in Seoul, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu participated, Orda.kz reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service.

The forum participants discussed key areas of partnership between Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, including transport and logistics interaction, energy cooperation, digital transformation, and environmental safety issues.

Murat Nurtleu said at the forum that Kazakhstan is actively developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which allows for safe and efficient transportation of goods from Asia to Europe.

The Minister invited Korean companies to participate in implementing projects to expand its capacity. At the same time, he noted that in 2025, the amount of products transported via the Trans-Caspian route is planned to increase to 10 million tons per year. 

Central Asia is becoming an important logistics hub capable of connecting Asia and Europe via Kazakhstan, emphasized Nurtleu.

Kazakhstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs also noted the growing mutual tourist flow and invited Korean partners to participate in creating tourism infrastructure in Kazakhstan. Nurtleu also spoke about plans to open new educational and scientific institutions in Kazakhstan with the support of Korean universities, such as SeoulTech University.

The Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea are natural partners, linked by a common history, Altai heritage and traditional trade relations dating back to the Silk Road. The Republic of Korea, in turn, plays an increasingly important role in the economic and technological development of the entire Central Asian region, noted Nurtleu. 

The Foreign Minister also noted Kazakhstan's rich natural resources, including rare earth metals and uranium, which accounts for 40% of the world market. Murat Nurtleu expressed hope for the participation of Korean companies in resource extraction and processing projects and in a consortium for the construction of a nuclear power plant, which will create new prospects for the region's energy security.

The Joint Statement enshrines the 17th Forum's results. The forum participants agreed to hold the Central Asia—Republic of Korea Summit in 2025.

Original Author: Orda