Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting held... Summit preparations completed

- Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol expresses gratitude for African cooperation.

- The Mauritanian Foreign Minister does his best to ensure the success of the historic summit.

Editor

The Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting attended by foreign ministers from 28 African countries was held on the 2nd, co-chaired by Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug.

This Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held as part of finalizing preparations for the Korea-Africa Summit to be held from June 4th to 5th. Based on the matters discussed at the Korea-Africa Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) held on April 29, the summit agenda and protocols were finally reviewed.

(Photo = Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Minister Cho said at the meeting, “I would like to express my gratitude to the African side for its cooperation and support for the Korea-Africa summit, which is just two days away.” He also added, "I ask for the support and cooperation of foreign ministers so that the summit can be held successfully."

Mauritania's Foreign Minister Merzoug said, "I highly value the fact that Korea has continued to provide a forum for communication to reflect African opinions in the preparation process for the Korea-Africa Summit." In addition, he emphasized, "Mauritania, as a co-host of the summit session, will do its best to ensure that the historic Korea-Africa summit is held successfully."

Since the launch of the Joint Consultative Committee with the African Ambassadors to Korea in May last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has frequently held formal and informal consultations with African counterparts. We have been actively preparing for the summit by holding a preparatory meeting for the African delegation to Korea on February 28th and a senior management meeting on April 29th.

(Photo = Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Under the three major agendas of this summit (shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity), our side will discuss seven areas in which Korea and Africa have mainly cooperated (trade and investment, response to global challenges, sustainable infrastructure, vocational training, and education, He emphasized the importance of digital transformation, science and technology, promotion of mutual understanding and exchange, and peace and security. He also proposed deepening substantive cooperation between the two sides in this area in the future.

African ministers welcomed Korea's first-ever summit with Africa and expressed high expectations for the summit. The African side showed particular interest in sharing experiences in agriculture, climate change, technology, infrastructure, and economic development, and expressed hope that cooperation with Korea would expand in these areas in the future.