Samarkand: Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol will attend a series of international gatherings and the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next week, his office said Thursday. Koo will first chair a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from South Korea, China, and Japan scheduled for Sunday, the finance ministry said. Participants will share their countries' economic conditions and policy responses amid developments in the Middle East conflict.

According to Yonhap News Agency, on the same day, Koo will also attend a meeting involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its three Northeast Asian dialogue partners -- South Korea, Japan, and China. Participants are expected to discuss ways to further develop the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM), a US$240 billion currency-swap arrangement established in 2010 as a regional financial safety net.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Koo will then attend the ADB's 59th annual meeting, to be held Monday and Tuesday, where participants will discuss regional economic conditions and ways to enhance financial cooperation.

During the business session, Koo is expected to exchange views and offer proposals on the bank's role in promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in the region, as well as on strengthening cooperation among member countries.