Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 30 July, the First Expert Forum titled “An Era of Change: Vision for Future Cooperation Between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea” was held in Tashkent. 

During the event, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the International Institute of Central Asia (MICA) and the Secretariat of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum.

The document underscores the high relevance of establishing direct scientific and research connections between key think tanks of the two countries to develop and propose joint initiatives for further expanding cooperation.

The Memorandum stipulates the expansion of bilateral and multilateral scientific collaboration between the expert-analytical communities of Uzbekistan and Central Asia on one side, and the Republic of Korea on the other.

This is particularly significant in the context of implementing the Joint Statement on the Further Deepening and Comprehensive Expansion of the Special Strategic Partnership, which was signed by the Presidents of the two countries, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Yoon Suk Yeol, on 14 June 2024 in Tashkent, following the South Korean President’s visit.

In particular, the task set by the Presidents to elevate the dialogue to a higher level highlights the need to find new growth points and develop modern approaches to the interaction between the two countries in all priority areas, including through expert analysis and revision of traditional forms.

In this regard, the signed document between MICA and the Secretariat of the Forum will establish a solid foundation for productive cooperation, significantly improving the quality of research and enhancing the effectiveness of expert-analytical work, which will contribute to making well-considered decisions.

The parties, based on the Memorandum, can now organize joint projects to investigate the most relevant aspects of cooperation, including through thematic scientific conferences, seminars, and roundtables aimed at developing recommendations and proposals for the governments of both countries.