Ashgabat Forum “Central Asia-Republic of Korea” set youth partnership tracks
The meeting of the heads of foreign affairs departments, held on Wednesday, November 1, in Ashgabat within the framework of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea format, was dedicated to the topic “Cooperation through the realization of the enormous potential of youth in shaping a sustainable future in Central Asia and the Republic of Korea.” This formulation is reflected in the efforts of the Forum participating countries to develop an agenda that determines the key areas of partnership for the coming years, where the role of youth and their potential will be of decisive importance.
During the meeting, participants spoke on current regional issues, youth policy issues, and also presented specific measures and steps taken within the framework of national plans and programs. The parties put forward a number of important ideas and initiatives to join forces in expanding and strengthening international cooperation, including through youth interaction aimed at achieving sustainable development goals, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, speaking at the meeting, emphasized that 2023 in Turkmenistan has been declared the Year of Youth and this is very symbolic from the point of view of the implementation of the concept of Turkmen chairmanship at the current meeting of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum.
Turkmenistan called for focusing joint activities on strengthening youth ties and formulating a Strategy for cooperation between the youth of the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea, the main components of which should be concentrated in areas such as education and science, sports and culture.
It was proposed to consider the possibilities of joint training of personnel in “double degree” programs, expanding digital knowledge among young people, creating an International Student Center and the Institute for Supporting the Development and Introduction of Innovative Ideas of Youth, developing the “Young Talents” program, preparing a Roadmap for Intercultural Exchanges for 2025-2030, holding international youth sports games of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, etc.
During the speech, the delegation of Turkmenistan also expressed an opinion on the need for close interaction with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korea Foundation (KF), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), national and international partners.
There was also a constructive exchange of views on issues of the regional and international agenda and a common view was expressed on the commitment to maintaining solidarity in ensuring global long-term peace, security and stability. The ministers emphasized the importance of the Forum’s activities as a regular multilateral consultative platform and its contribution to strengthening cooperation between the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea.
Speaking about the relevance and prospects of parliamentary diplomacy, the ministers highly appreciated the results of the first meeting of the chairmen of the Parliaments of the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, which took place in September this year in Seoul. The heads of delegations welcomed the decision to hold the second meeting of this format in 2024 in Ashgabat.
The economic sphere is named one of the priorities of the CA-RK cooperation format. The presence of Korean business in Central Asia and the implementation of joint projects in various fields can significantly and positively influence the development of the region and provide new prospects for international partnerships.
The Ashgabat Forum demonstrated that the consistent strengthening of ties, increasing the economic potential of cooperation, logistics capabilities, the formation of effective cooperation schemes in science, education, medicine, tourism, environmental protection, joint development of projects in the field of industry, agriculture, textile industry, the high technology industry, digitalization, cultural and humanitarian interaction meets the interests of the peoples of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea, and serves the goals of economic and social growth.
As a result of the Forum, a Joint Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs was adopted, and the Work Plan of the Secretariat of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum for 2024 was approved.
The next meeting of the Forum in this format is scheduled for 2024 in the Republic of Korea.
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