Korea-Africa Summit set to be Yoon's largest global gathering yet

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Korea-Africa Summit set to be Yoon's largest global gathering yet

Published: 30 May. 2024, 18:22 Updated: 30 May. 2024, 18:22

SARAH KIM
kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr

Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, center, poses for a commemorative photo with diplomats and other attendees at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Africa Culture Festival in Seoul on May 10. [YONHAP]

Nearly 50 nations are expected to attend next week's inaugural Korea-Africa Summit to discuss shared growth and economic cooperation.

President Yoon Suk Yeol will chair the two-day summit set for Tuesday and Wednesday in Korea, the presidential office said Thursday.

He will also hold separate talks with the leaders of 25 African countries.

Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo told reporters that 48 of 55 African Union countries are participating in the gathering, with a few exceptions due to domestic or political circumstances.

All African nations invited by the Korean government accepted, he added.

"This conference will be the largest multilateral summit since the launch of the Yoon Suk Yeol government," Kim said in a press briefing, and the first of its kind where Korea will host involving nearly all African nations.

The leaders of Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Mauritania will also be making official visits to Seoul during this period, and Yoon will host them at luncheon or dinner meetings.

Mauritania is a co-chair of the summit as it holds the chairmanship of the African Union this year.

The 2024 Korea-Africa Summit brings together government delegations, international organizations and key figures from business communities, academia and civic society.

The main summit will be held on the first day, followed by a business summit on Wednesday, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and organized by the Korea International Trade Association.

The theme will be: "The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity."

There will be 13 side events, including a Korea-Africa youth startup forum, a global ICT leadership forum and other conferences related to tourism and agriculture.

The summit comes at a pivotal moment as Korea is keen on expanding diplomacy and economic cooperation with Africa and sees potential for increased trade and investment.

The Korean government said it will also like to share its experience and technology in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area.

It further sees areas of cooperation in addressing complex global challenges such as energy, climate change, health and supply chain disruptions.

"As Korea aims to become a global pivotal state, cooperation with Africa is not a choice but a necessity," Kim said, calling the summit "belated."

He added that Seoul believes that these countries' participation in the summit also reflects "Africa's high expectations for cooperation with Korea."

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]