Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting: Broadening Economic Partnerships

Foreign Ministers from 50 African countries and four regional organisations met in Seoul, South Korea on June 1, 2026 at the first-ever Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting to discuss ways to broaden cooperation on economic and global challenges. Cameroon was represented at the high-level meeting by the Minister of External Relations, Mbella Mbella who read a statement at the opening plenary and participated in panel discussions. The Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Hyun co-chaired the meeting with Ghana's Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who serves as Vice Chair of the African Union for this year. In his statement, Minister Mbella Mbella appreciated Korea’s relations with Africa, especially with Cameroon where several projects are being realised within the framework of a joint partnership that seeks to enhance sustainable development. He noted that cooperation spans in the health sector where South Korea funded the construction of the Yaounde Emergency Centre (CURY) and Garoua General Hospital to boost the country’s health system. In addition, he stated that Korea has greatly supported Cameroon’s digital transition, through funding and assisting with the implementation of the Cameroon Online e-Procurement System. Vocational training in the country is also supported by South Korea, reason the Minister said the maiden meeting thus serves as a platform of giving added impetus to partnerships and cooperation frameworks. At the end of deliberations, there was a joint statement by the Foreign Ministers at the meeting, containing 18 points. As per the final document, they highlighted the importance of efforts to resume dialogue through proactive de-escalation and confidence- building measures, aiming to achieve p...