14.06.2024

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol continued negotiations with the participation of official delegations from both countries.

The talks focused on the further development and deepening of Uzbek-Korean relations of the special strategic partnership covering all spheres and directions of interstate interaction.

- We consider your state visit to Uzbekistan at the head of a representative delegation to be another confirmation of the great importance attached to the development of multifaceted cooperation with Uzbekistan and the region, - said the President of our state.

The Republic of Korea is a key partner in Uzbekistan’s dynamic and innovative development. In our country, 726 joint ventures have been launched in the fields of energy, chemistry, automotive, electrical, textile, food and other industries. Korea’s investment exceeds US $7,5 billion, and last year’s trade reached US $2,5 billion.

During the talks, the importance of establishing a new high-tech agenda for the Uzbek-Korean special strategic partnership for the next three years was noted.

The Head of our State made an initiative to declare this period “A new time of high-tech and innovative cooperation between the two countries”.

In this context, Governments were instructed to prepare a strategic programme for the establishment of a regional high-technology hub in Uzbekistan.

At the same time, a number of priority areas of cooperation were proposed as “anchor” areas of the Strategy.

First is the partnership on critical mineral resources. It is a deep processing of the resource base with a complete value chain.

Second. Strategic cooperation in the field of semiconductors, where the Republic of Korea has traditionally been a global leader. There are plans to create in our country the first fully-fledged research and production cluster of semiconductor products in the region.

Third. Full-scale partnership in the chemical industry. New projects have been prepared for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia and for the production of finished rubber products.

Fourth. Deepening of cooperation in engineering. This spring the line for the assembly of KIA cars in the Jizzakh region was launched. Next year it is planned to start full-scale production of sedan with a capacity of more than 60 thousand units per year.

Fifth. Technology transfer to create “smart” agriculture, including through digitalization of the agricultural sector, introduction of “smart” and “green” technologies.

Agreements have already been reached on the creation of modern greenhouse farms and garden complexes in the regions of our country based on renewable energy sources.

Sixth. Modernization of infrastructure and urban development programme. There is a high interest of Korean banks and companies in the modernization of transport infrastructure, design and construction of residential and commercial real estate on the principles of public-private partnership.

Seventh. Modern and safe energy. In order to develop promising projects in the field of “green” energy and energy efficiency, the parties agreed to resume the strategic dialogue at the level of Ministers of Energy and to hold its next meeting in the near future in Uzbekistan.

The successful partnership with the Korea Eximbank and the “EDCF” was noted with satisfaction, the portfolio of joint projects with which has already exceeded US $3 billion.

An agreement was reached on new projects under the EDCF for US $2 billion, including the supply of high-speed electric trains, the implementation of the second phase of the "Tashkent Pharma Park" project and the equipping of educational institutions.

It was noted with satisfaction that in preparation for this summit a new portfolio of projects in the above areas worth US $9,6 billion was formed.

The leaders paid special attention to the further expansion of cultural and humanitarian exchange.

A striking example of a fruitful partnership is the modern multidisciplinary children’s clinic, established in cooperation with the Korean side.

During the talks, an agreement was reached to accelerate the preparation and implementation of projects of the medical cluster, including the establishment of a university, an adult hospital and an oncological clinic.

In addition, a long-term programme will be launched to upgrade the skills of health workers in specialized centres of Korea.

A solid experience of cooperation in the field of education has been accumulated. In March last year, the first Uzbek-Korean forum of rectors was held. Another meeting will be held next year.

Support was expressed for the proposal to establish a Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) model in Uzbekistan.

In addition, the Digital and Artificial Intelligence Training Centre at the Academy of Public Administration in Tashkent is being developed in partnership with the Korea Institute of Public Administration and the National Human Resources Development Institute.

Special attention was paid to the expansion of Korean language programmes, including with the involvement of experts from Korea.

The successful training of Uzbek citizens in vocational training centres established with the assistance of KOICA in Tashkent, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Fergana and Urgench was noted.

The Korean side expressed support for the establishment of a network of such centres in other regions of Uzbekistan with the assistance of financial and technical assistance.

In order to bring the peoples of the two countries closer together, it was proposed to declare next year “The Year of Mutual Exchanges between Uzbekistan and Korea”, with a crosscutting cultural event.

In addition, the 90th anniversary of the Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan will be widely celebrated in 2027.

The parties agreed to open a museum and library at the House of Korean Culture and Art in Tashkent on this significant date.

The Head of our State noted the great contribution of the Korean side to the development of the “Electronic Government”, assistance in the development of the strategy “Digital Uzbekistan”, strengthening the capacity of the IT-park and the creation of business incubators “U-ENTER”.

In this regard, the parties agreed to expand the partnership in the field of artificial intelligence, business process outsourcing and digital technologies.

Specific proposals were also considered in the areas of combating corruption, the environment, labor migration and other important areas.

Following the negotiations, the Heads of State instructed to adopt “road maps” for each area with agreed deadlines and implementation mechanisms.