The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a meeting with the African Group of Ambassadors (AGA) in Korea, including both resident and non-resident ambassadors, on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the preparations status and future plans for the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit.
※ Officials from 47 African embassies in Korea, including 15 resident ambassadors (Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Zambia) and 11 non-resident ambassadors (Benin, Botswana, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Seychelles, Uganda, and Zimbabwe) attended the meeting.
Before the commencement of the consultative meeting, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun held a pre-meeting with the AGA. Vice Minister Kim emphasized the significance of having both resident and non-resident ambassadors, including those from China, Japan, and Malaysia to participate in the meeting for the success of the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit. He highlighted the Korean government's commitment to expanding relations with Africa, based on its hopes to establish a mutually beneficial, sustainable, and long-lasting partnership. Vice Minister Kim also urged AGA’s active involvement and contributions and underscored the fact that African countries’ interest and participation are pivotal in driving the Summit’s success.
Ambassador of Gabon to Korea Carlos Victor Boungou, Dean of the AGA, commended the Korean government's efforts in closely communicating with Africa by continuously holding consultation meetings since the establishment of the MOFA-AGA Joint Consultative Committee in May 2023. In addition, Ambassador Boungou expressed his appreciation for the strengthened exchanges since President Yun Suk Yeol took office and Korea's endorsement of the African Union (AU)'s permanent membership of the G20. He also reiterated the AGA’s commitment to providing concerted support for the success of the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit.
Following the pre-meeting, the consultative meeting commenced under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won. Deputy Minister Chung shared the result of his visit to Ethiopia on February 19-21, where he discussed the Summit with various high-level officials, including the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Additionally, Jung Kihong, the newly appointed Government Representative for the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, provided updates on the status of preparations, particularly in terms of public relations and protocol.
Afterwards, the participants engaged in intensive discussions concerning the protocols and administrative affairs of the Summit, as well as discussions on side events and the possible outcomes of the Summit. The AGA expressed appreciation for the Korean government’s communication endeavors and stressed the importance of making the Summit a win-win and an outcome-driven occasion through meticulous consultations.
Furthermore, both parties agreed to hold a Senior Official Meeting (SOM) in the forthcoming period. Delegations from each African country will attend the SOM and address critical issues such as the documentation of the Summit's outcome.
Since establishing the MOFA-AGA Joint Consultative Committee in May 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained ongoing formal and informal consultation meetings. It will continue to bolster communication and collaboration with the African side, including AGA in Korea, to incorporate Africa’s expectations and needs for the Summit.