The 16th meeting of foreign ministers within the Central Asia-Republic of Korea cooperation format was held in Ashgabat on Wednesday.
The meeting of the foreign ministers of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea focused on cooperation through realising the potential of youth to shape a sustainable future. The participants discussed current regional affairs, youth policies in each country and concrete measures within the framework of national plans and programmes. Participants actively proposed ideas and initiatives to join forces and enhance international cooperation, explicitly emphasising youth engagement to achieve sustainable development goals. The proposals aimed to foster collaboration and collective action in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development, with a particular focus on the active participation of young people.
As part of the Forum, the Turkmen side highlighted the practicality of focusing joint activities on strengthening ties in the youth line and developing the main directions, including education, science, sports and culture. They proposed double diploma programmes, expansion of digital knowledge, creation of the International Student Centre and the Institute for Supporting the Development and Implementation of Innovative Ideas of Youth and holding international youth sports games. In addition, the participants emphasised the importance of actively interacting with the Republic of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea Foundation (KF), and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), as well as national and international partners. This highlights their recognition of the value of engaging with these organisations and entities to advance regional cooperation and achieve shared goals.
During the meeting, the attendees identified key priority areas of cooperation, with a particular emphasis on economic partnership and the pursuit of joint projects involving Korean businesses. They underscored the importance of focusing on promising areas of collaboration, taking into account the historical and cultural ties, as well as the shared values and moral principles of the people in the region.
The Ashgabat Forum highlighted the significance of strengthening ties and harnessing the economic potential in various fields, including science, education, medicine, tourism, and environmental protection. The participants recognised the importance of fostering cooperation in these sectors, which can contribute to the overall development and prosperity of the region.
The Forum concluded with the adoption of the Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers and the approval of the 2024 Work Plan. Furthermore, it was announced that the next meeting of the Forum is scheduled to take place in 2024 in the Republic of Korea.
