Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 3 November, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Office in Uzbekistan hosted a Fellowship Programs Alumni meeting in honor of the celebration of the KOICA Development Cooperation Day, for enhancing cooperation with partner organizations in Uzbekistan and its network with the returning graduates of training programs. 

The event held at the Center for Innovative Entrepreneurship "U-ENTER" was attended by Kim Hee Sang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan, Adkham Ikramov, Minister of Youth Policy and Sports Development, Ra’no Turdiboeva, Deputy Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction, Shin Myung Seop, Director of the KOICA Uzbekistan Office and other heads of partner organizations, as well as alumni of KOICA CIAT programs and KOICA Uzbekistan Office staff. 

Firstly, Ambassador Kim Hee-Sang expressed his assurances that Korea will continue to be Uzbekistan’s reliable partner in economic and social development, including education, healthcare, IT, and public administration. He stressed that this development cooperation is mutual, not one-way. The Special Strategic Partnership built between Korea and Uzbekistan will keep strengthening through trade and investments. The Ambassador introduced Mr. Shin Myung Seop, Director of KOICA Uzbekistan Office, who had also served in 1995 in KOICA Uzbekistan Office, as a witness to development cooperation. In his speech, the Ambassador emphasized how KOICA seeks to support the sustainable socio-economic development of its partner countries by sharing Korea’s development experience and knowledge with the partner countries’ public officials, researchers, and students. 

Further, the congratulatory remarks were delivered by Mr. Adkham Ikramov, Minister of Youth Policy and Sports, and Ms. Ra’no Turdiboeva, Deputy Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction. KOICA Senior Specialist Muhtarov R. presented a brief overview of KOICA’s Country Partnership Strategy, priority sectors, and ongoing projects and activities in Uzbekistan. 

The KOICA Scholarship program alumni Azizbek Ernazarov shared his experiences obtained while living in Korea. In his presentation, he discussed his new innovative ideas and how they were implemented in Uzbekistan. 

One of the main goals of the event is to strengthen KOICA’s collaboration with partner organizations that play significant roles in the development of New Uzbekistan. The government of Korea is dedicated to becoming a reliable partner in such fields as Education, Health, Public Administration, and Regional Development as Uzbekistan pursues economic and social progress.