1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the Korea-Africa Foundation (launched in June 2018), will host the “Korea-Africa Youth Forum” and the “Seoul Dialogue on Africa,” bringing together experts on Africa from home and abroad, at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, from December 4 till 5. The events aim to increase people’s understanding of Africa, and to help Korean youth and entrepreneurs build presence in Africa.

2. The “Seoul Dialogue on Africa,” to be held on December 5, is the first international academic conference since the establishment of the Korea-Africa Foundation. At the conference, Africa experts from home and abroad will discuss key political, economic and social issues in the African region, and make predictions about the situation in the region for the year 2019.

※ Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, and Commissioner for Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission Albert M. Muchanga will deliver keynote speeches.

o The meeting takes place to raise people’s awareness of Africa in the Republic of Korea; to gather policy proposals to build an ROK-Africa strategic partnership; and to facilitate research on Africa in the ROK by strengthening networks between Africa researchers. The ROK will make efforts to develop the meeting into an annual international academic conference.

※ To apply for participation in the Seoul Dialogue on Africa, please visit https://goo.gl/forms/9w92r69S4ZZVy7rO2

o In particular, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Trade and Industry Albert M. Muchanga will attend the meeting to deliver a keynote speech. He will talk about the African market and investment opportunities offered by the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), aimed at creating the world’s largest single market (1.2 billion population).

3. On December 4, a day before the meeting, the “Korea-Africa Youth Forum” will take place under the theme “Entrepreneurs for Innovative Partnership.” At the forum, to be held for Korean youth willing to start an Africa-related business, and African students in the ROK, presentations on success stories of Korean startups in Africa, and the startup environment in key African countries will be made to seek ways to help more young entrepreneurs start a business.

※ Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Yun Kang-hyeon and AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry Muchanga will give keynote speeches.

o The Korea-Africa Youth Forum is expected to serve as an opportunity to encourage young people to set up global startups by raising awareness of the possibility of Africa as a new startup market, and by increasing exchanges between Korean youth and African youth staying in the ROK.

※ Application for participation in the Korea-Africa Youth Forum: kaf_hyuna12@mofa.or.kr

* unofficial translation