Africa: StateTaps Into Korea, Africa Cooperation Week

Uganda recently participated in the first-ever Korea-Africa cooperation that cements Korea's working relationship with Africa, attesting to the country's new status as an energy resource rich nation.

Uganda is one of only four African countries that Korea has designated as a 'primary ODA (official development assistant) partnership country'. The other three are: Rwanda, DR Congo and Ethiopia.

Uganda was represented at the event, which ran from October 15 to 18 in Seoul, Korea, by ministers Irene Muloni (Energy) and Maria Kiwanuka (Finance). Organised under the theme, 'Sharing today, shinning tomorrow', the cooperation week was divided into three major forums: Korea-Africa Industry Cooperation Forum (KOAFIC), Korea-Africa Forum for Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) and Korea-Africa Forum.

Uganda took part in KOAFIC, the forum for energy sector, for her maiden time. The week is hosted by three of Korea's ministries: Knowledge and Economy (annually), Planning and Finance (bi-annually) and Foreign Affairs and Trade (tri-annually).

"The government of Korea, recognizing the growing potential of development of Africa and the world's keen interest in this region, formed an inter-government consultative body led by the Prime Minister's Office to actively address these developments through effective coordination and creative organization of the relevant ministerial forums," Park, Jong-Dae, the Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, said in a statement.

Jong-Dae said this forum seeks cooperation in the sector of energy, infrastructure, finance, development, and diplomacy.

"The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kampala applauds Uganda's active participation in these forums and believes this will greatly enhance Korea's and Uganda's mutual interest in each other and the momentum for full-fledged cooperation for many years to come," Jong-Dae said.

In March, next year, Korea will be marking 50 years of her diplomatic relationship and economic engagements with Uganda.