By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

The 21st Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum was held in Doha, Qatar on November 10, under the auspices of the Korean and Qatari Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

It was co-hosted by the Korea-Arab Society (KAS), the Jeju Peace Institute (JPI), and the Middle East Council on Global Affairs (MEC) of Qatar.

The Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum is a 1.5-track forum held alternately in Korea and the Middle East since 2003 to enhance mutual understanding, deepen practical cooperation, and strengthen human networks with influential Middle Eastern figures.

Since 2022, it has been alternately hosted by Korea and Qatar under strong cooperation with the Qatari side (2022: Korea, 2023: Qatar, 2024: Korea, 2025: Qatar).

In a video address, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun assessed that the Korea-Middle East cooperative relationship, based on trust and mutual respect, has developed over the past 60 years, primarily in the energy and construction sectors.

He emphasized that Korea and Qatar co-hosting the forum for the fourth consecutive year demonstrates the special nature of their ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’.

Furthermore, Minister Cho called for Korea and the Middle East to achieve shared prosperity through future-oriented cooperation in areas like AI and digital transformation, and nurturing next-generation talent, alongside efforts for peace.

He stated that Korea will build a virtuous cycle of peace and trust on the Korean Peninsula through the ‘E.N.D Initiative’ (Exchange, Normalization of Relations, Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula) to build a virtuous cycle of peace and trust on the Korean Peninsula.

He emphasized that Korea aims to leap forward as one of the world's top three AI powers and will cooperate with Middle Eastern countries toward this goal. He also stressed strengthening connections between future generations in Korea and the Middle East through K-Food, K-Beauty, and Korean culture.

Meanwhile, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stated in congratulatory address that Korea and the Middle East can seek cooperation opportunities in clean energy for a sustainable future, digital transformation for a knowledge-based economy, food and health security.

Under the theme ‘Korea and the Middle East: A Partnership for Peace and Prosperity,’ experts from both Korea and the Middle East engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including: △Exploring the Future of Korea-Middle East Relations Amid Geopolitical Shifts, △Future Industry Cooperation Between Korea and the Middle East: From Energy to Artificial Intelligence, and △Challenges and Opportunities for Women and Young Entrepreneurs in Korea and the Middle East.