The 15th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue will be held in Vientiane, Laos, June 16-17 with MOFAT's Deputy Minister Kim Jae-shin, his Laotian counterpart Alounkeo Kittikhoun and representatives from the other ASEAN member states, leading their respective delegations. The ASEAN-ROK Dialogue is held annually, hosted alternately by Korea and the coordinating country of the Dialogue. Last year's Meeting was held in Seoul.
In the upcoming meeting, the participants will review issues of mutual concern, including ways to improve the operation of the ASEAN-ROK Centre, the envisioned establishment of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), and efficient ways of using the ASEAN-ROK Special Cooperation Fund (an annual US$5 million). They will also exchange views on a wide range of regional and global issues, such as the situation of the Korean peninsula and ASEAN, financial and economic crisis, food and energy security, climate change and disaster management, and regional cooperation frameworks.
Thanks to the steady development of Korea-ASEAN ties since the establishment of dialogue relations in 1989, the two sides recorded the largest-ever two-way trade volume (some US$10 million) last year, making ASEAN Korea's second-largest trade partner. Furthermore, the ASEAN-ROK strategic partnership was forged at the summit last year, enhancing the momentum of cooperation. The ASEAN-ROK Dialogue was upgraded into a higher-level consultative framework last year, as agreed by the two sides, in reflection of the developing relations.
