Central Asia, located at the heart of Eurasia, is geopolitically significant for South Korea and rich in natural resources like gas, oil, and minerals. However, the region faces severe environmental challenges, including the depletion of the Aral Sea, desertification, water scarcity, and climate change. Inefficient irrigation and overuse of shared water resources exacerbate these issues, threatening biodiversity, agriculture, and the well-being of local communities. While Central Asian nations are working on solutions, political instability and limited progress hinder their efforts.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in the early 1990s, South Korea and Central Asia have maintained over 30 years of economic, cultural, and human exchanges, fostering cooperative ties. South Korea collaborates with Central Asia in areas such as natural resource development, energy, and infrastructure construction. Countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan highly value Korea's technological expertise and have expanded cooperation in various fields, including economy and culture. Regarding environmental issues, South Korea contributes to water resource management, desertification prevention, and renewable energy development through its partnerships with Central Asian nations. South Korea has positioned itself as a key partner for addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development in Central Asia, strengthening mutual growth and collaboration.
Gyeonggi Province plays a pivotal role in fostering these ties, collaborating with Central Asian nations in diverse sectors such as economy, culture, education, and environment. Its partnerships with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are particularly active, focusing on economic exchanges, medical technology transfer, and official development assistance (ODA) projects. Gyeonggi Province aligns its tailored economic cooperation with Central Asia’s development needs, including natural resource development, infrastructure construction, smart agriculture, and renewable energy technology. Cultural exchanges are also enhanced through the promotion of K-pop and Korean cultural programs.
Moreover, Gyeonggi Province contributes to environmental sustainability in Central Asia by supporting desertification prevention, water resource management, and climate change mitigation. It facilitates digital and smart cooperation by aiding smart city development and IT education, assisting Central Asia's digital transition. Strengthened through sister-city agreements and international collaborations, Gyeonggi Province fosters trust-based multilateral cooperation models. These initiatives are expected to solidify the relationship between Gyeonggi Province and Central Asia, serving as exemplary cases of successful international cooperation.