Tashkent, Uzbekistan – 1 August 2024. On 12th of July this year the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) and the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) organized an online-meeting with the Korea Foundation (KF) Policy Research Grant Department and Korea - Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat.

IAIS was represented by Hamza Boltaev, Head of the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, and Mekhriniso Abdurasulova, Research Fellow of the Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies. 

During the online meeting, KF representatives provided detailed insights into the various funding opportunities available for policy-oriented research projects. They emphasized the importance of collaborative research between Korean and Central Asian institutions, highlighting previous successful projects as examples of fruitful cooperation. The discussion also included potential areas of interest for future projects, such as sustainable development, regional security, and economic integration in Central Asia.

The KF representatives encouraged UWED and IAIS to submit detailed project proposals to take advantage of the funding opportunities. They also discussed the criteria and application process for the grants, stressing the importance of innovative and policy-relevant research that can contribute to the mutual understanding and development of Korea and Central Asia.

In conclusion, the meeting was a significant step towards strengthening academic and research ties between Uzbekistan and South Korea. Both sides expressed their commitment to fostering collaborative research efforts that can address regional challenges and promote sustainable development.