On Monday, December 8, NEAR Secretary-General Lim Byung-jin met with a Russian delegation including Alexander Vedernikov, Chairperson of the Legislative Assembly of Irkutsk Region, and the Deputy Chairperson of the People’s Khural of the Republic of Buryatia. The delegation visited Gyeongju to attend the 2025 NEAR International Forum, and the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest.
Secretary-General Lim expressed his appreciation for the delegation’s participation in the Forum despite the long journey resulting from the lack of direct flights. He outlined recent NEAR activities, ongoing cooperative relations with Russian member governments, and major NEAR events scheduled for next year. He emphasized in particular that Irkutsk Region previously served as the 11th Chair Member of NEAR, while the Republic of Buryatia is currently serving as the Chair Member, noting that both regions have made significant contributions to the development of NEAR.
With regard to Irkutsk Region, Secretary-General Lim noted that it is a founding member of NEAR and the first Russian regional government to establish a sisterhood relationship with Gyeongsangbuk-do Province in 1996. He further stated that Irkutsk Region has been among the most active participants in NEAR activities and that cooperation between NEAR and Irkutsk Region is particularly strong. This was demonstrated by two meetings between the NEAR Secretary-General and Governor Kobzev of Irkutsk Region—one held on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum and another during the Secretary-General’s visit to Irkutsk Region earlier this year. He expressed hope that this cooperative relationship would be further strengthened on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of NEAR’s establishment next year, as well as the 30th anniversary of the sisterhood relationship with Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.
Regarding the Republic of Buryatia, Secretary-General Lim stated that he holds deep respect and gratitude for Head Alexey Tsydenov’s sincere efforts to advance NEAR since assuming the position of the 16th Chair Member of NEAR. He noted in particular Buryatia's support for the associate membership applications of three regions in Myanmar. He added that the NEAR Secretariat will make every effort to ensure the successful hosting of the High-Level Officers Meeting and the Traditional Medicine Subcommittee, which the Republic of Buryatia plans to organize next year in its capacity as Chair member.
Alexander Vedernikov, Chairperson of the Legislative Assembly of Irkutsk Region, highly evaluated NEAR’s platform activities, noting that NEAR continues to contribute to the promoting of good-neighborly relations and cooperative development among regional governments in Northeast Asia even amid a complex international environment. He proposed advancing inter-parliamentary international cooperation within the NEAR framework, taking this international forum as an opportunity.
Mantatova, Deputy Chairperson of the People’s Khural of the Republic of Buryatia, stated that , as the NEAR Chair member, the Republic of Buryatia places great importance on cooperation with the NEAR Secretariat and conveyed Chairperson Pavlov’s appreciation. She also noted that preparations for the High-Level Officers Meeting scheduled for June next year have already begun, including the establishment of an organizing committee, and requested the NEAR Secretariat’s active cooperation and support.
The meeting was also attended by Lenshina, Secretary-General of the Legislative Assembly of Irkutsk Region; Seredkina, Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Division; Semyonov, Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; and Ponomareva, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Buryatia.