The Minister of International Affairs and Worldwide Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe is in Seoul, attending the 2026 Korea-Africa International Ministers’ Assembly, a high-level gathering aimed toward strengthening cooperation between Africa and the Asian nation.
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The assembly introduced collectively representatives from 50 African international locations, the African Union, the African Improvement Financial institution, the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the Africa Centres for Illness Management and Prevention.
The ministerial assembly follows the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit held in 2024 and was convened to evaluate progress made since then whereas charting new areas of cooperation.
In line with a joint assertion adopted on the finish of the assembly, the ministers agreed to deepen cooperation in commerce, funding, infrastructure, science and expertise, digital transformation, meals safety, important minerals, local weather motion, well being, peace and safety, and people-to-people exchanges.
A key focus of the discussions was financial cooperation, with either side exploring methods to extend commerce and funding, enhance market entry, strengthen infrastructure improvement, and help implementation of the AfCFTA.
South Korea additionally reaffirmed its help for Africa's digital transformation by expertise switch, capability constructing, e-government techniques, synthetic intelligence cooperation, technical coaching, and scholarships for African college students.
The assembly highlighted Africa's rising significance in international provide chains, notably due to its important mineral sources utilized in batteries, electrical automobiles, semiconductors and different superior applied sciences.
Individuals additionally agreed to proceed consultations on a second Korea-Africa Crucial Minerals Dialogue aimed toward selling secure, accountable and mutually helpful mineral provide chains.
The convention additionally addressed international challenges together with local weather change, meals safety, healthcare and peacebuilding, with either side committing to increase cooperation in these areas.
South Korea additionally proposed internet hosting the second Korea-Africa Summit in 2029, with additional discussions anticipated by future senior officers' conferences.
On Tuesday, June 2, authorities officers, enterprise leaders and consultants from either side are anticipated to convene for the Korea-Africa Enterprise Discussion board to discover alternatives for deeper commerce and funding ties, industrial collaboration and supply-chain resilience.
