All 48 invited countries attended… Discussions on co-prosperity, sustainability, and solidarity
Expansion of trade and investment through the signing of economic partnership agreements… First ladies also had a friendly dinner
Leaders: “It is uncommon for so many to gather in one place in Africa”,
President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers an opening speech at the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit held in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Provided by the Blue House,
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, “The government has taken a big step in cooperation with Africa, described as ‘young, dynamic, and resource-rich.’ President Yoon Suk-yeol hosted the first Korea-Africa Summit with leaders of 48 countries on the 4th and stated, ‘We will continue to seek sustainable cooperation on issues directly related to future growth, such as stable supply of key minerals and digital transformation.’ President Yoon and African leaders agreed to enhance mutually beneficial and strategic partnerships based on the values of co-prosperity, sustainability, and solidarity in their joint declaration. The two sides signed 12 treaties and 34 memoranda of understanding (MOUs).”,
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, ‘At the opening of the summit at KINTEX in Ilsan, President Yoon emphasized, “Hosting a multilateral summit inviting African countries for the first time in Korea, we aim to overcome today’s challenges and create tomorrow’s prosperity through a partnership of coexistence with Africa.” He added during a joint press release, “Korea and African countries have agreed to expand mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation through the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) to achieve ‘co-prosperity’.” The government plans to increase official development assistance (ODA) to a level of $10 billion by 2030 and provide $14 billion in export finance to Korean companies entering Africa. ‘,
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President Yoon Suk-yeol and African leaders take a commemorative photo at the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit held in the Korea-Africa Summit venue on the 4th. Provided by the Blue House,
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, ‘Korea and Africa also launched the “Key Minerals Dialogue.” President Yoon commented, “It will be a model case contributing to the sustainable development of mineral resources worldwide while seeking stable supply chain security.” By cooperating for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and peace and security in Africa, they pledged to strengthen solidarity between Korea and Africa. President Yoon emphasized, “With Korea serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2024 and 2025, we will further enhance our cooperation with Africa on the international stage.”‘,
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, ‘Furthermore, the two sides emphasized the need to strengthen activities of the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference (KOAFEC) and the Korea-Africa Agricultural Ministerial Conference while establishing new high-level dialogue bodies such as customs and statistical directors’ meetings. They revealed plans to hold a foreign ministerial meeting in 2026 to comprehensively evaluate the results of this summit and discuss future plans, including the possibility of holding the next summit.’,
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, ‘In particular, the government plans to enhance strategic cooperation with Africa by leveraging the advantages of information technology (IT) and advanced technology. Kim Tae-hyo, the First Vice Chief of the National Security Office, explained, “This aligns with the principle of our country’s Indo-Pacific strategy based on the principles of inclusion, trust, and mutual benefit, contributing to addressing global disparities as a responsible member of the international community.” The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), established in 2019, boasts a population of 1.5 billion and a GDP of $3.4 trillion.’,
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President Yoon Suk-yeol at the banquet of the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, held in the Korea-Africa Summit venue on the 4th. Provided by the Blue House, Newsis,
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, ‘It was noted with great surprise that all 48 countries, except for the six countries that could not be invited due to internal conflicts and political reasons in Africa, participated in this summit. A Blue House official mentioned, “During the dinner of the Korea-Africa Summit the day before, it was widely commented by many domestic and foreign leaders that the attendance of many African leaders at this summit was impressive.” There was much praise for the occasion as “It is uncommon for so many leaders to gather in one place in Africa.” First Lady Kim Geon-hee also attended the summit to have dinner with the spouses of African leaders who visited.’,
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President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Geon-hee attend a welcoming banquet for the ‘2024 Korea-Africa Summit’ at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 3rd. Provided by the Blue House,
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