On September 24, Secretary-General Lim Byung-jin met with Dzhumagaziev Kanat, governor of Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan, during the 14th NEAR High-Level Working Committee, where they discussed matters of mutual interest.
Mr. Lim expressed his gratitude to Mr. Dzhumagaziev for attending the committee. Then, he provided information on NEAR’s recent activities, expressing his pleasure to have Chuy Region as NEAR’s associate member.
Additionally, Mr. Lim provided with an introduction to the “NEAR+2” policy, expressing his willingness to visit Chuy Region if Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan show their intention to join as associate members.
Expressing his appreciation for Mr. Lim’s support in helping Chuy Region become an associate member of NEAR, Mr. Dzhumagaziev stated that the region is highly interested in cooperation with NEAR and will actively participate in its activities. In particular, he emphasized his vision to promote regional cooperation in the areas of economy, society, and environment by utilizing the NEAR platform.
At this year’s High-Level Working Committee, Chuy Region became the first region in Central Asia to join NEAR as an associate member, and the second associate member following Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam.