Bangkok: South Korea has called for greater cooperation in energy markets and global supply chains among the stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific as a way to address challenges arising from the Middle East crisis, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. Ryu Ho-kwon, director general for international economic affairs at the foreign ministry, emphasized the importance of collaboration during a conference of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok on Monday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the U.N. ESCAP is an intergovernmental body established in 1947 as one of the five regional commissions under the U.N. Economic and Social Council. It plays a role in promoting economic and social cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Ryu highlighted the impact of the Middle East situation on the energy markets and maritime routes of the Asia-Pacific region, as well as global supply chains, calling for enhanced regional cooperation to address these challenges.

Ryu also held a meeting with U.N. ESCAP Secretary-General Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana on the sidelines of the conference. They discussed efforts to boost cooperation between South Korea and the U.N. body, aiming to expand South Korean presence at international organizations.