Tajikistan and South Korea are embarking in earnest on identifying practical cooperation projects utilizing critical mineral resources such as gold, silver, and antimony. This is part of preliminary coordination aimed at expanding industrial and economic outcomes for the 1st Korea-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for September 16.

The two countries will hold the inaugural Korea-Tajikistan Minerals Forum in Seoul on the 12th. At the event, government officials, specialized agencies, and companies will gather to discuss critical minerals policies and practical cooperation models, exploring concrete measures including joint mineral resource exploration, investment and financial support, and supply chain development.

Prior to this, Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Shin-hyun and First Deputy Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan Ikromjon Kurbonzoda held a meeting in Seoul on the 11th to discuss multifaceted cooperation measures. The two countries reviewed plans to establish a C5+Korea Industry Ministers' Meeting, a regular communication channel among industry ministers from South Korea and the five Central Asian countries (Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan), using the summit as an opportunity.

In addition, the two sides exchanged views on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for mutual cooperation in the industrial and new technology sectors, and on expanding exchanges among key business leaders utilizing the Korea-Central Asia Business Summit to be held during the summit. In particular, they focused on identifying practical projects that link Tajikistan's resource potential with South Korea's mineral exploration and development technologies and demand.

The government intends to use these discussions as a starting point to produce concrete cooperation outcomes in the areas of industry, supply chains, and critical minerals leading up to the upcoming summit.

Vice Minister Moon Shin-hyun evaluated Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan, as important cooperation partners equipped with abundant resources and growth potential. He emphasized that efforts will be made to ensure the agenda items discussed in this meeting lead to tangible outcomes at the Korea-Central Asia Summit in September.