Envoys call for Northeast Asia cooperation to weather global uncertainty

Ambassadors from Korea emphasized the need for stronger regional cooperation and cross-border collaboration to tackle common challenges amid rising global uncertainty and polarization. They proposed that sector-specific collaboration and youth exchanges could provide a solution when formal multilateral mechanisms prove ineffective.

The envoys made this appeal during the 30th Anniversary Northeast Asia+2 Local Cooperation Forum in Seoul, organized by the Association of Northeast Asian Regional Governments (NEAR). Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev highlighted the growing importance of nonpolitical and regional exchanges, noting that traditional multilateral frameworks are struggling to function effectively due to political turbulence.

He explained that "today, amid growing political turbulence, traditional multilateral mechanisms of interaction are increasingly failing to function effectively. This has a negative impact both on the international relations system as a whole and on economic cooperation at the global and regional levels." Zinoviev argued that in such circumstances, nonpolitical structures focused on practical activities are essential for maintaining stability and fostering economic cooperation.