Press Releases
The 9th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue
December 15, 2022
On December 24, the 9th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue will be held at the Iikura House. The meeting will be chaired by Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
- At the meeting to be attended by foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries, a discussion for sustainable development in the region will be held between Minister Hayashi and foreign ministers from the Central Asian countries, which are partners that maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law under the current severe international circumstances. In addition, the ministers will discuss the response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in Afghanistan, and other international issues.
- Through this meeting, it is expected that the Central Asian countries and Japan, an important partner outside the region, which marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, will affirm their unchanging solidarity and further strengthen their mutually beneficial cooperation.
- Minister Hayashi will also hold bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries and exchange views on strengthening the bilateral relations, among other matters.
(Reference)“Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue
- (1) The “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue framework was established by Japan in 2004 to promote regional cooperation, viewing that such cooperation for solving the common challenges in the region is essential for the stability and development of Central Asia. Taking into account the development of Central Asian countries in the three decades since their independence, Japan has continued to extend cooperation for a free and open Central Asia that maintains and strengthens the international order based on the rule of law and practices sustainable development.
- (2) Under the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue framework, 8 Foreign Ministers’ Meetings (the last face-to-face meeting was held in May 2019 in Tajikistan, and the 8th meeting was held virtually in April 2022), 15 Senior Officials Meetings (SOM), 11 Intellectual Dialogues (Tokyo Dialogue), 7 Experts’ Meetings, and 2 Business Dialogues have been held.