On March 16, a dedicated preparatory office was officially inaugurated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea to coordinate the first-ever "Central Asia – Republic of Korea" summit. This office will manage the organizational, logistical, and protocol-related aspects of the high-level meeting, which is set to take place in Seoul on September 16-17, 2026. The establishment of this center marks a significant step toward institutionalizing multilateral cooperation between Korea and the five Central Asian nations.

The opening ceremony was attended by heads and staff members of diplomatic missions from Central Asian countries, along with senior officials from the Korean Foreign Ministry. Diplomats from the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Korea were among the speakers, highlighting the historical weight of the upcoming summit. They emphasized that this initiative reflects a shared vision for regional prosperity and provides a platform for addressing contemporary global challenges through joint efforts.

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Cho Tae-yul, opened the event by stressing that the summit would be a milestone in the diplomatic history of the participating nations. He noted that the first-ever meeting of heads of state in this format would serve as a catalyst for expanding constructive collaboration and mutual trust. The Minister explained that the preparatory office was established specifically to ensure that the forum meets the highest international organizational standards and facilitates smooth diplomatic dialogue.

Furthermore, Minister Cho underlined that close coordination between the Korean government and the governments of Central Asian countries is the essential prerequisite for a successful summit. Representatives of the diplomatic corps expressed their gratitude for the proactive steps taken by the Korean administration and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the preparatory process. The September 2026 summit is expected to unlock new horizons for cooperation in technology, energy, and cultural diplomacy across the Eurasian continent.