BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 16. Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed launching a Central Asia-Korea Climate and Carbon Partnership and a long-term human capital development partnership as part of efforts to support green investment, technological transformation and youth employment across the region.
This was reflected in the statement by the press service of Uzbek president.
Speaking at the first Central Asia-South Korea summit in Seoul, Mirziyoyev said the proposed climate partnership could combine South Korea’s experience in overseas climate projects with Central Asia’s potential to host green investments.
“Central Asia is ready to provide optimal conditions and become a reliable platform for green investment,” Mirziyoyev said.
He proposed launching the Climate and Carbon Partnership to support cooperation on climate action, the energy transition and air quality.
Mirziyoyev said the initiative could facilitate the transfer of South Korean technologies and help Central Asian countries transition toward circular and low-carbon economies.
“We welcome the joint initiative on climate, the energy transition and air quality,” he said.
The Uzbek president also highlighted human capital as a fundamental area for long-term cooperation, noting that people under 30 account for more than half of Central Asia’s population.
The region is facing growing demand for engineers and specialists in technology and digital fields, he said, making the development of relevant skills increasingly important for future economic competitiveness.
Mirziyoyev proposed establishing a long-term Partnership for Human Capital Development based on the principle of “demand-training-employment.”
The model would directly link the workforce needs of South Korean businesses with the educational potential of Central Asian countries, helping prepare specialists for joint projects while creating employment opportunities for young people.
“We see prospects in directly linking the personnel needs of Korean businesses with the educational potential of our region,” Mirziyoyev said.
He also identified young people as an important resource for developing and deploying artificial intelligence and building technological capabilities across Central Asia.
Mirziyoyev proposed using South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s “Indispensable Korea” doctrine as one of the key pillars for advancing AI cooperation in the region.
The proposals were presented as two of five strategic areas outlined by Mirziyoyev at the inaugural Central Asia-South Korea summit, alongside long-term strategic planning, trade and industrial cooperation, and critical minerals.
The summit brought together the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan under the chairmanship of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
