Central Asian leaders to attend first C5+Korea summit in Seoul Sept 16-17

September 2, 2026 at 05:02 PM2 min

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The first summit of Central Asian and South Korean leaders will take place in Seoul on September 16-17. The meeting will elevate the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum to the presidential level for the first time. A business summit is expected to run alongside the leaders' summit.

Key Facts

The summit will be held in Seoul on September 16-17, 2026.
The Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum has existed since 2007 but has never met at the level of heads of state.
South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources has proposed a regular C5+Korea Industry Ministers' Meeting.
The first Korea-Tajikistan Minerals Forum was held in Seoul in August 2026.
In December 2025, Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources identified critical minerals, energy, and industrial projects as main areas for cooperation with Central Asia.

Summit Agenda

Preparatory meetings between representatives of the five Central Asian countries and South Korea have focused on industrial cooperation, supply chains, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and digital manufacturing. South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources has proposed establishing a regular C5+Korea Industry Ministers' Meeting. A business summit is expected to take place in Seoul alongside the leaders' summit.

Critical Minerals Focus

South Korea is a major producer of semiconductors, batteries, automobiles, and electronics, but depends on imports for many mineral resources. Central Asia holds globally significant reserves and production of uranium, chromite, and antimony, as well as substantial copper resources. With Tajikistan, discussions focus on gold, silver, and antimony resources; the first Korea-Tajikistan Minerals Forum was held in Seoul in August. With Kyrgyzstan, Seoul is discussing cooperation on antimony and tungsten. With Uzbekistan, talks cover critical minerals, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, and industrial complexes.

Regional Cooperation Model

Central Asia is building relations with major external partners through regional formats while preserving national sovereignty and avoiding supranational institutions. This approach is already used in relations with the European Union, China, the Gulf states, Japan, and India. The Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum has existed since 2007, but meetings have so far taken place below the level of heads of state. The September summit will elevate this mechanism to the presidential level for the first time.