On November 6 and 7, 2018, the 11th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum was held at the Millennium Seoul Hilton in Korea with the participation of about 300 leading figures from the political, business and academic sector in Korea as well as representatives of international organizations and delegations led by vice minister-level officials from the governments of South Korea and the five Central Asian countries.

Under the theme of “Leaping forward Together,” the participants discussed specific ways of cooperation in matters of common concern, such as the South Korean government’s New Northern Policy; promising areas of cooperation between South Korea and Central Asia, including healthcare, transportation, logistics and forest cooperation; and efficient use of Central Asian water resources.

The first Council of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat’s Meeting of Chief Delegates (C5+1) was hosted by South Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister, Mr. Cho Hyun. The council unanimously appointed the Korea Foundation’s Executive Vice President, Mr. Kim Seong-in, as new Secretary-General of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum. It also adopted the 2019 Work Plan for the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat and approved the entry of the Kyrgyz Republic into the Secretariat and the revision of the Secretariat’s regulations.

Korea Foundation President Lee Sihyung hosted a luncheon for the chief delegates and explained them the role of the Korea Foundation and the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat. Thereafter, opinions were discussed on how to increase the efficiency of cooperation projects between the two regions.

Concurrent with the 11th Forum, the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat, under the administration of the Korea Foundation, held an event to introduce ideas for joint projects between South Korea and Central Asia, which would contribute to enhancing the mutual understanding of South Korean and Central Asian markets. In addition, a delegation to Korea under the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat’s “Smart Water Management Training Program” participated in the 11th Forum. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ms. Dinara Kemelova, spoke very highly of the organization of various programs of the Secretariat in connection with the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum.