The Central Asia – Korea Format Reaches a Fundamentally New Level of Understanding Partnership
ORIENT | June 24. The 3rd Central Asia – Republic of Korea Think Tank Forum continues its work in Dushanbe. Held under the motto "From Dialogue to Joint Action," the event aims to synchronize timelines ahead of the historic autumn summit of heads of state in Seoul.
While experts focused on the global geopolitical architecture and mutual investments during the forum's initial sessions, the third panel discussion took participants to a fundamentally new level of understanding partnership. Digital transformation, the green economy, climate challenges, and bridging the technological gap were the focus.
At this session, Bekdurdy Amansaryev, an expert from the Center for Strategic Studies at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, delivered a conceptual presentation.
Analyzing the current state of affairs and noting the region's enormous potential, which is currently developing rapidly, the Turkmen political scientist did not conceal the obvious challenges. He noted that Central Asia still relies on raw materials for its exports, limited processing depth, and a certain fragmentation of its infrastructure. Against this backdrop, the Republic of Korea stands out as a unique example of how governance, knowledge, and high technology can be converted into colossal economic power.
However, according to Bekdurdy Amansaryev, the long-term strength of relations between the regions lies not in the convergence of short-term interests, but in the profound complementarity of their development models.
"For Korea, Central Asia is not a resource hub, but a potential and equal partner in building a fundamentally new economic geography for all of Eurasia," the Turkmen analyst emphasized in his speech.
To transition from a "resource economy" to a "knowledge economy," the speaker proposed a package of concrete, pragmatic steps covering key areas of cooperation:
Logistics and Smart Mobility: The expert emphasized the need to create a unified digital platform for freight transportation that will eliminate fragmentation in logistics. Connecting Central Asia's multimodal corridors with ports in neighboring countries (particularly Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan) and further with South Korean seaports will help close Eurasian routes. An important step here should be engaging Korean companies in managing transport infrastructure and creating logistics hubs in key hubs in the region, including Ashgabat.
Industry and Fuel and Energy: A proposal was made to accelerate the modernization of Central Asia's textile industry (which relies on high-quality local cotton) through the transfer of Korean technologies.
In the energy sector, the speaker emphasized the importance of advanced natural gas processing and the implementation of carbon capture technologies. The expert also recalled Turkmenistan's international initiative to create a UN legal document that would protect the interests of both suppliers, transit countries, and recipients of energy resources.
Ecology and Climate: Given the region's arid climate and water shortages, Bekdurdy Amansaryev called for the implementation of advanced Korean practices in rational water management and combating land degradation. In this context, he emphasized the relevance of the President of Turkmenistan's initiative to establish a specialized UN Climate Center in the region.
Among the completely new and promising niches, the expert highlighted aquaculture. Korean experience in cultivating bioresources could provide a powerful impetus to private businesses in coastal states, including Turkmenistan.
Summarizing his speech, the Turkmen delegate called on the parties to systematically harmonize legal and regulatory frameworks to eliminate non-tariff barriers and actively develop cross-border electronic trade.
However, according to the expert, the main foundation of the future alliance should be human resources—joint scientific research, student exchanges, and creative industries.
The upcoming summit in Seoul, as the expert sees it, will not simply be a consolidation of the results achieved, but the beginning of a long and promising path, where Central Asia and South Korea will be able to offer the world a fundamentally new model of interregional synthesis.
