Korea, Africa Agree to Deepen Cooperation for Shared Prosperity, Global Challenges

SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of a joint statement adopted at the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Seoul on Monday, where the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation for shared prosperity and joint responses to global challenges.

Joint Statement 2026 Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Overview

1. We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Delegation of African countries; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea; representatives of the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) met in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as 'Korea'), on 1 June 2026, for the Korea–Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Korea–Africa Relations

2. Recalling with satisfaction the 2024 Korea–Africa Summit, and with a view to building upon its outcomes, we convened this Korea–Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting. We recognize the commonalities and complementarity between Korea's key task of "Diversifying diplomatic engagement and proactively addressing global challenges" and the African Union's "Agenda 2063," and its "Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan", reflecting Africa's vision of "An integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa". Recognizing the shared elements between us, we agreed to further strengthen the mutually beneficial and practical partnership.

3. We discussed geopolitical instability, the current situations in Ukraine and the Middle East and the impact on the global economy, as well as Africa and Korea, in particular food security and economic stability in Africa. In light of these developments, we recognized the growing strategic importance of Africa especially with regard to maritime routes and resources, including critical minerals. We further viewed this as a valuable opportunity to deepen and strengthen relations between the two sides.

Strengthening Economic Cooperation (Promoting Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Growth)

Trade, Infrastructure and Investment

4. Recognizing the potential in the cooperation between Korea and Africa for the achievement of shared prosperity and sustainable growth, we note the need to strengthen the mutually beneficial economic cooperation. We emphasize the importance of reinforcing institutional frameworks and improving mutual market access through key agreements, as appropriate, including Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs), Air Services Agreements (ASAs), Social Security Agreements (SSAs), and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), while giving due consideration to developing countries.

5. We commend Africa's efforts to establish a single market and advance regional economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In this regard, Korea remains committed to supporting Africa's consolidation efforts through the Korea–AfCFTA Cooperation Fund, capacity-building for customs authorities, support for the establishment of a One-stop Origin Management System (OOMS), and the sharing of expertise gained from its extensive experience of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

6. We recognize the need to continue to strengthen infrastructure development cooperation, sharing the view that the development of reliable and resilient infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, airports, dams, desalination facilities, and electricity and water management systems is essential for promoting sustainable growth in Africa. We welcome also continued efforts to promote Korean investment in Africa's key infrastructure sectors, thereby strengthening industrial collaboration, capacity building, and mutually beneficial economic growth across the continent. We agree to strengthen relevant government-to-government (G2G) collaboration in the infrastructure sector, through the signing of an MOU on road cooperation and expanding support for ODA in the form of grants and concessional loans as well as invitation programs related to infrastructure.

Science, Technology and Education

7. We sincerely note the importance of enhancing productivity through science and digital technologies for mutually beneficial economic cooperation. In this regard, we agree to support the development of Africa's ICT capabilities through a co-development approach ensuring technology transfer, local capacity building, and alignment with national and regional digital strategies. This includes the establishment of digital systems such as the Customs e-Clearance System (UNI-PASS), the Korea Online E-Procurement System (KONEPS), and the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). We further agree to expand concerted efforts through initiatives such as the Korea–Africa Digital Government Cooperation Center. Also, both sides recognize the importance of cooperation in the use of artificial intelligence, as a cross-cutting enabler for achieving SDGs, as well as digitalization and start-ups in the field of culture and economic priorities.

8. We also underscore the importance of education, human resource development and inclusive digital transformation in unlocking the potential of Africa's youth, who comprise 60% of the continent's population. To this end, we emphasize the need to strengthen education and research infrastructure, expand equitable access to technology, and enhance technical training for the development of future generations. This includes support for digital education through the Korea e-Learning Improvement Cooperation (KLIC), the establishment of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) centers, and the expansion of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), with a focus on enhancing employability through skills aligned with labor market needs and support to the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa 2020-2030 of the African Union. Moreover, we recognize the importance of strengthening joint research and innovation ecosystems, including through collaborative research, researcher mobility, joint laboratories, research networks, and centers of excellence. We further emphasize the role of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in accelerating Africa's development, while in tandem bridging the digital divide through knowledge transfer, capacity building, and investments in digital innovation. In this context, we underline the need for a human-centered, inclusive, secure, safe, and trustworthy approach to emerging technologies, supported by appropriate governance frameworks and the protection of data, privacy, and digital sovereignty.

Food Security and Agricultural Cooperation

9. Africa commends Korea's efforts to support food security in Africa with Korea's unique experience and know-how in the agricultural sector, in which over 60% of the economically active population in the continent are employed. In particular, both sides express willingness to continue joint endeavors to enhance food self-sufficiency of African nations, in which many of them are net food importing developing countries "NFIDCs", using appropriate technology and resilient quality inputs and initiatives such as the K-Ricebelt project and the Korea Partnership for Innovation in Agriculture (KOPIA) and Korea-Africa Food & Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI). Both parties welcomed also initiatives by African countries to ensure food security and food sovereignty in the continent. In this regard, we encourage further cooperation in advanced farming technologies and fertilizer production capacity, irrigation mechanisms, including through technology transfer, technical expertise, and knowledge exchange, with a view to enhancing agricultural productivity, food self-sufficiency, and long-term resilience in Africa.

Critical Mineral Cooperation

10. Recognizing the growing strategic importance of critical minerals, such as those used in AI data centers, electric vehicles, and batteries, driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution we acknowledge the increasing importance of shared efforts in this field. We are committed to promoting stable supply of critical minerals with a view to increasing local added-value in African countries, upholding high environmental, labor, and transparency standards, and responsible practices and fostering technological collaboration through initiatives such as the inaugural "Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue" held last year, while supporting the value creation of experts in this field. In tandem, we aim to build a responsible supply chain that respects value creation, job creation, the environment, global standards and human rights. To this end, we agreed to continue consultations on convening the "2nd Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue."

Joint Response to Global Challenges (Korea–Africa Solidarity)

Development Cooperation

11. We appreciate Korea's valuable contribution to establishing a systematic foundation for development cooperation, consistently increasing its ODA allocation to Africa with a view to formulating a foundation for sustainable growth. We reaffirm commitment to continue to strengthen the development cooperation partnership between Korea and Africa through steadfast efforts including support for projects based on Africa's needs and Korea's four broad strategic goals in grant aid such as in the fields of technology, digital and innovation, healthcare, climate adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable rural development as well as the continued synergy through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).

Climate Change and Health

12. Against the backdrop of the adverse impact of climate change we note with satisfaction Korea's efforts to address climate change, including its implementation of the 2030 and 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement as well as its energy transition centered on renewable energy. We also express satisfaction with African countries' efforts to combat the dire effects of climate change and to invest in renewable energy. In this regard, we are committed to engaging in bilateral and multilateral endeavors to strengthen comprehensive teamwork between Korea and Africa in addressing climate change through the implementation of projects such as the forest restoration leadership course, forest restoration projects with the GGGI and UNEP, the Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) with the FAO, and the land degradation neutrality project(the Changwon Initiative) with the UNCCD.

12 bis. We recognize that climate change is not only an environmental change but a growing public health crisis, amplifying vector-borne diseases, food insecurity, water stress, and climate related disasters. This underscores the urgent need to integrate climate and health responses.

13. Welcoming the African Union's adoption of the "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems" as its theme for this year, we express our firm resolve to further strengthen cooperation in the area. In this regard, we agree to expand coordination in sustainable water resource management in Africa, including the implementation of Korea's 'Integrated Water Resources Management System Establishment' projects.

13 bis. Underlining the importance of prioritizing the impact of climate change on water and food security in Africa, we emphasize that strengthened partnership grounded in capacity building, technology transfer and climate-resilient health systems will be critical to safeguarding our people and ecosystem.

14. Recalling the solidarity and resilience demonstrated by Korea and Africa in responding to global health crises, including the current global Ebola outbreak, we express our commitment to strengthening cooperation to enhance access to universal health coverage and basic healthcare services in Africa. We agreed to continue the joint efforts in regional health security through projects, such as the "Strengthening Primary Healthcare and Health Insurance Systems Project" and the "ODA Project for Strengthening Cooperation in Infectious Disease Response with the Africa CDC."

Peace and Security

15. Reaffirming the importance of supporting efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism, to achieve the African Union's (AU) vision for an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, we express our commitment to building sustainable peace and stability in Africa. Korea''s contributions of a total of USD 26.4 million over the past decade in the areas of peace, security, and conflict prevention through the "African Union Peace Fund" are greatly valued. Furthermore, Korea's commitment to continue contributing to economic development and peace and security in Africa through the integration of Korean contribution to the "AU Peace Fund" into the "AU Cooperation Fund" is truly welcomed.

15 bis. We support efforts undertaken by the African continent in the area of conflict prevention and resolution — and not solely humanitarian assistance — as well as promoting the role of youth and women in the establishment of peace and security across the continent.

16. Korea's contributions, including financial support for AU peace and security activities, the deployment of the Hanbit Unit under UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan, and the participation in international efforts to combat piracy and other forms of maritime crimes off the coast of Africa are truly valued. In this regard, we renewed our commitment to strengthening cooperation in the field of peace and security through enhanced bilateral partnerships with interested African countries in the areas of defense and defense industry cooperation, including the conclusion of relevant MOUs, the expansion of military educational programs, and the provision of decommissioned Korean defense equipment.

17. We value that Korea supports regional security efforts and serves to strengthen the capacity of African nations through various projects, including the establishment of a police criminal information management system, the UNDP project for enhancing police capabilities in addressing digital sexual violence, and the signing of MOUs between law enforcement authorities.

18. We highlight the importance of the efforts to resume dialogue through proactive de-escalation and confidence-building measures, aiming to achieve peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula by expanding inter-Korean exchanges, normalization of relations, and achieving denuclearization in a phased manner.

People-to-People Exchanges

19. Noting the importance of people-to-people exchanges for a deeper sense of mutual understanding and solidarity, we emphasize the need to expand exchanges in all areas such as education, culture, arts, sports, and tourism, as well as to enhance communication among governments, parliaments, local governments and the private sectors including academic institutions. In this regar