Envoys call for Northeast Asia cooperation to weather global uncertainty

Ambassadors to Korea called for stronger regional exchanges and cross-border cooperation to address shared challenges amid growing global uncertainty and polarization, saying sector-specific collaboration and youth exchanges could offer a path forward when formal multilateral mechanisms fall short.

The envoys issued the call during the Association of Northeast Asian Regional Governments (NEAR) 30th Anniversary Northeast Asia+2 Local Cooperation Forum, held Thursday at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul.

Russian Ambassador to Korea Zinoviev Georgy said nonpolitical and regional exchanges have become increasingly significant as conventional multilateral frameworks struggle to function.

“Today, amid growing political turbulence, traditional multilateral mechanisms of interaction are increasingly failing to function effectively. This has a negative impact both on the international relations system as a whole and on economic cooperation at the global and regional levels,” Georgy said.

“Under these circumstances, structures whose activities are nonpolitical in nature, focused on a positive agenda, based on mutual respect and free from coercion and discrimination are becoming particularly valuable. Their contribution to building practical ties is becoming increasingly significant.”

He added that the activities carried out by NEAR could cover almost all sectors of the national economy, including energy, mineral resources, e-commerce, logistics, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation, with a particular focus on youth policy, education and medicine.

In a prerecorded video, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing, who was unable to participate in person due to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Seoul, said safeguarding multilateralism through regional cooperation is more important than ever, noting that 14 provinces from China have joined NEAR as formal members.

“Nowadays, we are witnessing essential changes of the world and the international situation is fluid and turbulent, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise. The more complex the situation, the more important all countries should work together, strengthen cooperation and uphold multilateralism,” Dai said.

“Chinese members have been elected as the chair of government multiple times and are now serving as the coordinating member of 10 subcommittees covering areas such as digital economy, traditional medicine and energy cooperation in which they have played an active role and achieved fruitful results.”

Ambassador of Mongolia to Korea Sukhee Sukhbold stressed the importance of expanding regional cooperation across a broad range of shared challenges, including climate change, desertification, water security and land degradation.

“First, promoting joint projects and cooperation initiatives among regional governments to address common challenges including climate change, desertification, water sources and land degradation. Expanding cooperation among regional governments in digital transformations, artificial intelligence and smart cities while facilitating the exchange of best practices, knowledge and technologies,” the Mongolian ambassador said.

“Expanding corporations address challenges such as population aging, changes in labor markets and labor shortages. Promoting youth exchanges and educational and cultural cooperation to nurture the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our region and strengthen cooperation networks among regional governments for disaster risk reductions and mutual assistance in time of emergencies.”

After listening to his fellow envoys, Cambodian Ambassador Khuon Phon Rattanak said NEAR should work to strengthen ties between Northeast and Southeast Asian countries, noting that member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations represent a combined population of nearly 700 million.

Founded in September 1996, NEAR is an international organization funded by Korea's North Gyeongsang Province. It promotes diplomatic and economic cooperation through exchanges among local governments in different countries, mostly in Asia. It is currently joined by 91 local government in nine different countries.

The organization’s members include 14 local governments from China, 11 from Japan, 16 from South Korea, two from North Korea, 22 from Mongolia and 17 from Russia. NEAR is seeking to expand its membership to include Southeast Asian countries.