President Moon to Visit Three Middle Eastern Countries from 15th to 22nd... Expanding Hydrogen and Defense Industry Cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Egypt from the 15th to the 22nd for a 6-night, 8-day trip.

◆ Active Economic Diplomacy on Hydrogen in Dubai = Departing Korea on the 15th, President Moon will begin his official schedule on the 16th with a working visit to Dubai, UAE, attending the "Korea-UAE Hydrogen Cooperation Business Roundtable" held to enhance cooperation between the two countries on hydrogen-related matters.

At this event, President Moon plans to actively engage in economic diplomacy by urging cooperation between the governments and companies of both countries on hydrogen and encouraging the advancement of Korean companies within the UAE.

He will also attend the "Korea Day Official Event at Dubai Expo," actively promoting the bid for the Busan Expo, and meet with Mohammed Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

On the following day, the 17th, he will attend the "Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Opening Ceremony and Zayed Award Ceremony" hosted by Mohammed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, delivering a keynote speech on carbon neutrality and clean energy. He will also hold a Korea-UAE summit with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to discuss ways to expand and deepen cooperation between the two countries in a more practical and future-oriented manner.

President Moon will visit Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital (SKSH), a successful example of Korea-UAE healthcare cooperation, to encourage Korean staff and medical personnel.

This working visit to the UAE is the first in four years for President Moon; a visit planned last year was postponed due to COVID-19. The UAE is a very important country with which Korea uniquely maintains a "special strategic partnership" in the Middle East, being the second largest in cumulative overseas construction contracts, the country with the most Korean companies operating in the Middle East, and the largest Korean expatriate community. Key collaborations include the Barakah nuclear power plant construction and the dispatch of the Ark Unit.

◆ Saudi Visit after 7 Years... Official Talks with the Crown Prince = On the 18th, President Moon will visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he will hold official talks and an official luncheon with Crown Prince Mohammed. At this meeting, the two leaders will discuss expanding cooperation between the two countries, which marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, beyond traditional energy, infrastructure, and construction sectors to future fields such as healthcare, science and technology (AI), hydrogen, intellectual property, and education.

President Moon will also deliver a keynote speech at the "Korea-Saudi Smart Innovation Growth Forum," an economic event for businesspeople from both countries, presenting future cooperation directions. During the forum, he will meet with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Saudi Aramco and Governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), a global investment firm.

On the 19th, he will meet with Nayef, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), announce the resumption of FTA negotiations with the GCC, and plan to visit a construction site in Riyadh where Korean companies are involved.

This visit marks the first Saudi visit by a Korean head of state in seven years. Crown Prince Mohammed visited Korea in 2019, the first Saudi heir apparent to do so in 21 years, and at that time invited President Moon to Saudi Arabia, but the visit was postponed due to the COVID-19 situation.

◆ Egypt Visit after 16 Years... Second in History = On the evening of the 19th, President Moon will move to Cairo, Egypt, and begin his schedule on the 20th by attending the official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace. This is the first visit by a Korean head of state to Egypt in 16 years since 2006, and only the second in history.

President Moon will hold both private and expanded summit talks with President El-Sisi to evaluate the "comprehensive cooperative partnership" and engage in in-depth discussions on future-oriented and mutually beneficial cooperation plans. After the summit, the two countries will announce the results through a signing ceremony of agreed documents and a joint press conference.

President Moon will conclude his schedule in Egypt by attending the "Korea-Egypt Future and Green Business Roundtable," where companies from both countries discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in future industries, and will return to Seoul Airport on the morning of the 22nd, concluding his tour of the three Middle Eastern countries.

A Blue House official stated that through this tour, "We will be able to build a foundation for cooperation toward a better future with the changing Middle East," and added, "It is expected to contribute to future energy such as hydrogen, defense and construction contracts, and export promotion with the Middle East seeking to diversify industries and move away from oil."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.