President Lee Jae Myung (fourth from left) on Sept. 14 poses for photos with the leaders of the five countries attending the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit at a hotel in Seoul. From left are Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President Lee, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japaro and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Yoon Sojung

A cooperative framework formed with five Central Asian countries on the occasion of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul covers all aspects of climate, energy, and the environment.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on Sept. 16 said Korea and the five states -- Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan -- launched the Korea-Central Asia Climate, Energy and Environment Initiative in conjunction with the summit.

The initiative includes key policy measures among the countries such as the transition to a low-carbon, green economy through renewable energy; environmental improvements like air quality enhancement, stable water supply and waste management; and multilateral cooperation to take on the climate crisis under the goal of solidifying cooperation between Korea and Central Asia in climate, energy and the environment.

The ministry will also diversify its methods of cooperation ranging from policy and personnel exchanges to joint research, technical collaboration and infrastructure development. By doing so, it seeks to secure global credits for greenhouse gas reduction and pursue follow-up projects such as joint pilot programs to help Korean companies land contracts and enter renewable energy markets.

These measures have gained strong momentum after their inclusion in the Seoul Declaration, a result of the summit. Backed by this, Seoul will keep searching for joint projects customized for the conditions and needs of each country and pursue substantive talks on their implementation.

arete@korea.kr