From vocational training to AI governance: KOICA's evolving role in Central Asia

Korea's development aid to Central Asia has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, shifting from traditional vocational training and rural development programs towards artificial intelligence (AI) and digital governance. This change is reflective of both the aspirations of the region's nations and South Korea's strategy to foster enduring partnerships amidst a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

Over the span of three decades, from 1992 to 2025, over 440 million U.S. dollars in official development assistance (ODA) from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was distributed among the five Central Asian countries - Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Education received the most funding at 30.2%, followed by public administration with 24.9%, while technology, environment and energy accounted for 18.8% of the total aid.

Historically, KOICA's focus in the region had been on conventional development needs such as vocational training centers, primary health care initiatives, rural infrastructure projects, and capacity building in the energy sector. However, a pivotal shift occurred around 2021 when governments throughout Central Asia began advocating for digitized public services, prompting a pivot towards AI and digital governance.