South Korea is the only nation with a regular high-level forum with all the five Central Asian countries -- Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.

China and Russia are focusing on bilateral consultations, while Japan’s push to hold a foreign ministerial forum with the nations on a regular basis remains sluggish due to the absence of Turkmenistan, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"The Central Asian nations, rich in natural resources, hope to share South Korea’s experience in its rapid economic development," a South Korean foreign ministry official said.

More than 50 representatives from the five nations will participate in the third South Korea-Central Asia Forum to be held at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, central Seoul, on Wednesday.

Each delegation will be headed by vice foreign ministers or officials with the equivalent post. Around 400 South Korean government officials, including Vice Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo, business leaders, and students are expected to take part in the forum.

Agenda items include ways to boost cooperation in the energy sector, partnership in advanced education, and South Korea’s efforts to help the medical sector of the Central Asian nations, the official said.