The leaders of African countries and associated international organizations, such as the African Development Bank Group, arrive to the Republic of Korea for the first-ever Korea-Africa Summit, scheduled to take place till June 5 in the cities of Ilsan and Seoul, South Korea.
On Sunday, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki flew to Seoul, where he "received a warm reception" upon arriving in the country's Gimpo Airport, as per the country's minister of information. Moreover, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has already arrived in South Korea and laid a wreath at the Korean War Memorial along with his wife. They also visited the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans Memorial Center. During the visit, the prime minister noted that this memorial honors the Ethiopian scout battalion that contributed to the South Korean and United Nations forces in the Korean War.
Among those, who have already arrived to the summit are President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara and Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
Among those, who have already arrived to the summit are President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara and Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.
In addition to delegations from other countries that will hold bilateral talks, President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina is going to head a delegation to the summit, reaffirming the cooperation that has existed between the Bank and the Korean government for more than 40 years.
Under the theme "The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity," the summit aims to provide a comprehensive forum for dialogue and interaction between South Korea and Africa. The key topics of discussion will include business, information, and communication technology (ICT), agriculture, forestry, desertification, tourism, energy, and vaccinations.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will hold separate summits with the heads of state from Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, and other countries during the event.
The president of South Korea has expressed his hope to "lay the foundation for comprehensive cooperation, including the exchange of information related to critical minerals, technological collaboration, and joint exploration," as was reported by a French media outlet.
"There are myriad viable projects where Korea and Africa can collaborate across the entire field of infrastructure [...] the construction of roads, railways, airports, and ports; smart city systems, including smart transportation; and the establishment of master plans," the president was quoted as saying.