[Full Text] Joint Statement of the Korea-Uzbekistan Summit Meeting

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Uzbekistan, is seen smiling and shaking hands with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev after a joint press conference between Korea and Uzbekistan at the Presidential Palace Guest House in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the 14th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon, on a state visit to Uzbekistan, held a summit meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the capital city of Tashkent on the 14th (local time), stating that "the two countries have agreed to develop their special strategic partnership in a future-oriented manner."

After the summit meeting with President Mirziyoyev, President Yoon said in a joint press statement, "We have agreed to further expand cooperation in the infrastructure sector, which has long been a core area of collaboration between the two countries." The two leaders held their second summit today, following their meeting in New York last September during the UN General Assembly.

President Yoon emphasized, "Today, a contract for the export of Korean high-speed rail vehicles to Uzbekistan was signed. This is the first export case of high-speed rail vehicles developed with our technology, contributing to the improvement of Uzbekistan's railway infrastructure and leading to expanded cooperation in all railway sectors between the two countries, including high-speed rail operations."

The following is the full text of the joint statement.

President Yoon Suk-yeol of the Republic of Korea paid a state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan from June 13 to 15, 2024, at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The two leaders commemorated the 5th anniversary of elevating bilateral relations to a special strategic partnership and held a constructive and friendly summit meeting, comprehensively discussing the most important issues in Korea-Uzbekistan relations and identifying key areas for continued development of bilateral ties.

Both sides mutually confirmed the importance of strengthening political dialogue, economic and trade relations, expanding cultural and human exchanges, enhancing parliamentary and local cooperation, and reinforcing cooperation between defense and judicial authorities, based on the 2019 "Joint Declaration on the Special Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan."

Both sides declared the following to deepen and comprehensively expand the special strategic partnership between the two countries.

1. Both sides will continue efforts to further develop the special strategic partnership in all areas of mutual interest. They emphasized the importance of exchanging views on bilateral issues and common regional and global concerns within the framework of the biennial rotating Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue and the annual Vice Minister-level Policy Consultations.

2. Both sides noted that the meetings of the Deputy Prime Ministers and the Joint Trade and Economic Commission play an important role in expanding joint projects in finance, trade, investment, critical mineral supply chain cooperation, energy infrastructure, construction and transport infrastructure, innovation, renewable energy resources, geology, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, labor migration, culture, tourism, education, and other strategically important promising sectors.

They agreed to hold regular consultations between relevant ministries of both countries, including the Joint Trade and Economic Commission, to create a favorable environment for trade, fully diversify trade structures, and expand trade volume.

The Korean side expressed its intention to share expertise and provide practical support for Uzbekistan's accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Both sides agreed to work together to accelerate this accession process.

3. Both sides noted the need to expand exchanges to share scientific research results and best practices in the mining and geology sectors and to further expand cooperation in these fields.

They recognized the necessity of comprehensive cooperation in critical minerals and appreciated the establishment of a strategic partnership on critical mineral supply chains.

The Korean side confirmed its readiness to support Uzbekistan's energy infrastructure construction and modernization process, including district heating systems. The Uzbek side confirmed its willingness to provide necessary conditions for Korean related companies to participate in this process.

4. Both sides expressed their intention to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the transportation sector by concluding a new agreement to exchange policy-related information, experience, and expertise, and to promote direct exchanges for developing transportation facilities and other transport-related technologies, including intelligent transportation systems in Uzbekistan.

They noted that high-speed electric passenger trains will play an important role in improving Uzbekistan's transportation system and expressed their willingness to cooperate for the successful introduction of Korean-style high-speed rail vehicles.

5. The Korean side confirmed its intention to encourage Korean business investments in Uzbekistan, and the Uzbek side confirmed its readiness to provide necessary support to facilitate activities of new Korean investors in Uzbekistan and to simplify existing procedures.

Both sides agreed to expand exchanges of technology and experience to enhance agricultural and livestock productivity, contributing to strengthening food security in both countries.

6. Both sides evaluated that the eco-friendly agricultural machinery center (based on compressed natural gas), Korea-Uzbekistan Textile Technopark, Korea-Uzbekistan Rare Metals Center, and the newly established Chemical R&D Center serve as important foundations for expanding cooperation in related fields between the two countries and agreed to strive for tangible achievements. The Korean side confirmed its readiness to contribute to capacity building of these institutions through various Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects.

7. Recognizing science and information and communication technology (ICT) as key drivers of socio-economic development in the digital era, both sides agreed to promote exchanges among experts and research institutions in basic and applied sciences and to cooperate in technology development, demonstration, and the establishment of advanced analytical technology centers.

8. Both sides highly appreciated progress in projects introducing modern technology and innovation in agriculture, such as smart water management, agricultural digitalization, and agricultural education.

They agreed to work closely to expand reliable cooperation in sharing research results and best practices in agriculture, including horticulture and greenhouse development, and to strengthen cooperation on smart farm projects.

The Korean side emphasized the need to enhance cooperation to respond to climate change by investing in energy-efficient agricultural technologies such as modern and more efficient greenhouses in Uzbekistan.

9. Both sides highly appreciated the achievements of the Republic of Korea government projects implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and agreed to cooperate closely to continue and strengthen cooperation.

They evaluated the cooperation achievements in health and pharmaceuticals supported by the EDCF and agreed to enhance cooperation through the pharmaceutical cluster project and to supply scientific, technological, and ICT educational equipment to secondary public schools.

Both sides expressed their intention to cooperate to successfully implement EDCF loan support projects worth up to 2 billion USD from 2024 to 2027.

10. Both sides recognized that climate change and its adverse effects are common concerns of humanity requiring urgent joint action and emphasized the importance of strengthening substantive cooperation on climate change, focusing on greenhouse gas reduction projects under Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the Paris Agreement, based on the intergovernmental "Basic Agreement on Climate Change Cooperation" signed on June 1, 2023.

They expressed their intention to continue cooperation within the framework of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and affirmed that green cooperation projects, such as the Aral Sea regional crisis response project jointly implemented by KOICA and GGGI in Uzbekistan, will contribute to socio-economic and ecological environment improvement in the region.

11. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation to promote public health and to continue exchanges in health and pharmaceutical experience sharing and ICT-based medical systems.

12. Both sides agreed to develop cooperation in human resource management by expanding meetings and seminars involving Korean experts.

They agreed to establish specific cooperation plans under the "Memorandum of Understanding on Civil Service Personnel Administration" signed in October 2023 between the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Personnel Management and Uzbekistan's Agency for Public Service Development under the President (ADPS) to promote practical cooperation.

Both sides confirmed the importance of civil servant education and training projects and agreed to expand capacity-building projects for Uzbek civil servants through close cooperation among Korea's Ministry of Personnel Management, National Human Resources Development Institute, KOICA, and Uzbekistan's ADPS and National Academy of Public Administration.

13. Both sides confirmed their interest in strengthening cooperation in labor migration under Korea's Employment Permit System (EPS) through employment, vocational training, and expansion of Korean language centers. In this context, they highly appreciated the establishment of five vocational training centers in Uzbekistan with continued support from KOICA.

They welcomed the official launch of KOICA's "Industrial Human Resource Development Program" in Uzbekistan and the signing of a memorandum of understanding to promote the program.

Additionally, both sides emphasized the importance of KOICA's leading "Youth Innovation Silk Road Reboot Program," which integrates KOICA's grant aid projects related to entrepreneurship and digital business education, IT complexes, and technical vocational education to build an innovative and interconnected startup ecosystem in Uzbekistan.

14. Both sides emphasized the need to expand cooperation in defense industry, military medical systems, ICT, and cybersecurity. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' Ministries of Defense and to expand exchanges in military education and training.

15. Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthen existing and new forms of cooperation in culture, education, science, sports, tourism, and public diplomacy to promote friendship and human exchanges between the two countries.

They noted the importance of enhancing cooperation to widely promote each other's cultural achievements and heritage through education and promotion of the two countries' languages, exhibitions, and cultural and artistic events.

They agreed to implement joint projects in the preservation, protection, utilization, digital management, and restoration of archaeological, artistic, and cultural heritage through information and experience sharing and joint work, as well as exchanges of scientists and experts and other forms of cooperation.

16. Both sides emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in higher education through strengthening partnerships between educational institutions, student and teacher exchanges, and establishing joint educational programs among faculty and higher education institutions.

They recognized that KOICA's project to establish an Early Childhood Teaching and Learning Complex Center will serve as a foundation for capacity building of Uzbek educational institutions and staff.

Both sides welcomed the additional holding of the University Presidents' Forum between the two countries as an effective platform to strengthen cooperation between universities.

17. Both sides noted that the Koryo-saram (ethnic Koreans) residing in Uzbekistan contribute to the development of friendly relations between the two countries and agreed to continue supporting the development of the Koryo-saram community.

18. Both sides reaffirmed that the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and the complete denuclearization of North Korea are indispensable for lasting peace and prosperity not only on the Korean Peninsula but also worldwide.

They urged North Korea to refrain from further actions threatening international peace and security and to comply with obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The Uzbek side expressed support for a free and peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula and the Republic of Korea government's "Bold Initiative for a Denuclearized and Prosperous Korean Peninsula."

19. The Korean side welcomed the establishment of close and friendly relations among Central Asian countries based on historical and spiritual ties, goodwill, trust, and mutual support, creating a new political atmosphere in Central Asia.

They highly appreciated the key role played by the Central Asia Summit in strengthening stability, security, and sustainable development in the Central Asian region.

The Uzbek side expressed support for Korea's first Central Asia strategy announced in June 2024, the "Korea-Central Asia K Silk Road Cooperation Initiative," and agreed to cooperate closely with the Republic of Korea in its implementation.

20. Both sides evaluated that the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, established in 2007, has become a constructive multilateral dialogue platform to strengthen Korea-Central Asia cooperation in sustainable socio-economic development and cultural and human exchanges. They agreed to work together to further develop the forum, and Uzbekistan expressed support for the first Korea-Central Asia Summit to be held in Korea in 2025.

21. Both sides noted the importance of not isolating Afghanistan to prevent the humanitarian crisis it faces and confirmed the need for support to Afghanistan. They reaffirmed their mutual desire to strengthen security, peace, and stability at regional and international levels and confirmed their readiness to cooperate at the United Nations and other international organizations.

They urged the Taliban to dismantle all types of terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan, prevent their establishment, and take effective measures in accordance with UN resolutions and international norms to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hotbed of terrorism and instability spreading to neighboring countries in the region.

22. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan and evaluated that this visit laid an important foundation for deepening the special strategic partnership between the two countries. President Yoon expressed deep gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the people of Uzbekistan for the warm hospitality extended to the Republic of Korea delegation. Both sides confirmed their firm commitment to continue high-level exchanges between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan.