Seoul and Central Asian Countries Will Establish a High-Level Consultative Body
Approximately 40 days remain until the first-ever multilateral Korea-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for September 16, 2026. The final meeting of the Organizing Committee, chaired by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, was held in Seoul.
The meeting brought together heads of relevant ministries, agencies, and leading economic institutions in South Korea, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the International Trade Association (KITA). The Organizing Committee summarized the preparations, which began in February, and agreed on the final package of documents.
As Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun emphasized, the upcoming forum will be the only multilateral summit hosted by Seoul in 2026. It will be attended by the leaders of all five states in the region—Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The Central Asian region, with its 80 million people and an area 18 times larger than the Korean Peninsula, is a major source of energy, key minerals, and an important hub in the logistics corridor connecting Northeast Asia and Europe. Seoul currently views it as a key strategic partner.
Key topics for the upcoming summit include: strengthening energy security and the stability of critical mineral supplies; developing transit and logistics infrastructure and digitalization; and launching new investment and trade projects involving major Korean corporations.
Following the September talks, the parties are expected to formalize the transition to a long-term strategic partnership and establish a permanent consultative body at the level of heads of state.
