08/06/2026
Seoul meeting strengthens Korea–Africa partnership, Namibia participates
Staff Reporter
AMBASSADOR Julia Imene-Chaduru has led Namibia’s delegation to the 2026 Korea–Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Seoul, where African and Korean officials agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, investment, technology, infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable development, while reinforcing joint responses to global challenges.
The meeting, convened from 1 to 2 June 2026 under the theme “Building Bridges for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Development,” brought together foreign ministers and senior representatives from African countries, the Republic of Korea, the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Discussions focused on strengthening Korea–Africa relations following the 2024 Korea–Africa Summit, with both sides recognising shared development priorities aligned with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and Korea’s broader global engagement strategy. Delegates also added the impact of ongoing geopolitical instability on food security and economic stability, and highlighted Africa’s growing strategic importance in global supply chains, particularly in critical minerals and maritime routes.
On economic cooperation, the two sides agreed to enhance trade and investment frameworks, including support for bilateral agreements and improved market access, while advancing African regional integration through the AfCFTA. Korea also reaffirmed support for capacity building, customs modernisation, and trade facilitation initiatives, alongside expanded investment in infrastructure such as transport, energy, water and logistics systems.
In the area of science, technology and education, the meeting underscored digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and ICT development as key drivers of growth, with commitments to expand technology transfer, e-governance systems, and digital public infrastructure support. Both sides also emphasised education and skills development, particularly for Africa’s youth, through expanded scholarships, vocational training programmes, and joint research initiatives.
Food security featured prominently, with Korea and Africa agreeing to strengthen cooperation in agricultural productivity, irrigation systems, and technology transfer, building on initiatives such as KOPIA and KAFACI. The importance of increasing food self-sufficiency and resilience in African countries was strongly emphasised.
Delegates also addressed critical minerals cooperation, agreeing to promote responsible supply chains, local value addition, and environmental and labour standards, while continuing dialogue under the Korea–Africa Critical Minerals framework.
On development cooperation, climate change, health, peace and security, both sides reaffirmed commitments to expand official development assistance, strengthen climate adaptation efforts, improve water management systems, and enhance health security systems across Africa. They also pledged continued collaboration in peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and maritime security.
The meeting further highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges, cultural cooperation, and engagement between civil society, academia and the private sector, with plans to strengthen institutional platforms for ongoing dialogue.
Namibia reaffirmed its commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with Korea that support Africa’s development goals and deepen cooperation in priority sectors.
The meeting concluded with agreement to continue implementing outcomes of the 2024 Korea–Africa Summit and preparations for the next Korea–Africa Summit scheduled for 2029.
Photo: Embassy of the Republic of Namibia in Japan
