The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan put forward a number of proposals on the prospects for further interaction between the states of Central Asia

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, took part in the fifth anniversary Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held on September 14 in Dushanbe, the press service of the head of our state reports.

The summit, chaired by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, also included the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as an honorary guest and the special representative of the UN Secretary-General – Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Kakha Imnadze.

In accordance with the agenda, issues of further expansion of multifaceted cooperation in the region were discussed, including the development of political dialogue, promotion of joint programs and projects in the fields of trade, investment, transport, energy, agriculture and ecology, intensification of cultural and humanitarian exchange, as well as responding to modern challenges and security threats.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in his speech highly praised the common efforts to strengthen relations of trust, good neighborliness and partnership between the countries of the region.

– Thanks to our joint efforts, we have made serious progress in resolving vital issues and filled our cooperation with qualitatively new content. Political contacts and interparliamentary exchanges have become regular. Various platforms for dialogue and cooperation have been launched, the head of state noted.

The main result highlighted is that stability and unity are strengthening in Central Asia. Our region is becoming one of the important centers of economic growth and investment activity, once again regaining its historical role as a transport hub connecting West with East and North with South.

Taking into account an in-depth analysis of the impact of global processes on the sustainable development of the region, it was noted that the ability to effectively counter these threats directly depends on the consolidation of joint efforts aimed at deepening a multifaceted partnership.

In this regard, the President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of proposals on the prospects for further interaction between the states of Central Asia.

– Trade and economic cooperation is the main driver of regional partnership and integration. In Uzbekistan, we are creating all the necessary conditions for the development of practical interaction in this direction with all countries of the region,” the leader of our state emphasized.

In order to increase the volume of trade turnover, the earliest possible formation of a full-fledged free trade zone without exceptions and restrictions has been proposed.

In this regard, it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive regional Program that provides for the formation of sustainable trade and logistics chains in the region, the opening and expansion of cross-border trade and cooperation centers, the harmonization of legislation and the elimination of barriers to mutual trade, the creation of unified electronic platforms for customs administration, sanitary and phytosanitary control, and certification. origin of goods, as well as the launch of a regional e-commerce platform.

Regarding the development of industrial cooperation between the countries of the region, the President of Uzbekistan cited examples of successful partnerships in the production of passenger cars, household appliances, textiles and food products, border zones of cooperation with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, as well as Azerbaijan.

The following areas have been identified as promising areas for further deepening cooperation and implementing large industrial projects: production of mineral fertilizers, polymers, finished metal products; assembly of agricultural machinery; production of finished textile and food products for export to third countries.

To make joint efforts systemic, it was proposed to develop a Strategy for the Development of Industrial Cooperation of the Countries of Central Asia for the long term.

Particular attention is paid to issues of transport connectivity. It was noted that, taking into account the geographical distance from the main foreign markets, the share of costs for transporting goods in our countries reaches 50 percent of the final cost of goods. At the same time, the world average does not exceed 11 percent. As a result, our economies are forced to bear a transport burden two to three times greater than in developed countries.

In order to further increase the transport potential of our countries, it was proposed, within the framework of meetings of sectoral ministers, to develop an Agreement on Transport and Transit in Central Asia, to formulate specific mechanisms for promoting effective transport corridors to enter the markets of China, the countries of South Asia and the Middle East, the European Union using through tariffs, beneficial for business.

In addition, it was proposed to prepare a Program of Measures to liberalize the transport services market, optimize permitting procedures and consider issues of creating an integrated digital platform for international transport.

– Unfortunately, the pace of development of energy infrastructure in the region does not keep pace with the speed of industrialization and urbanization, as well as demographic growth. Today this is a serious challenge to the long-term sustainable development of our countries,” the head of state pointed out the problem of ensuring energy security.

The importance of further expanding the interaction between line ministries and national companies in the field of geological exploration and development of promising deposits, expanding the existing one and creating a modern energy storage and supply infrastructure was emphasized.

In addition, important areas of cooperation should be the construction of new highways for the transmission of electricity and the use of significant potential for the development of hydropower.

At the same time, it was noted that sustainable development of the region is impossible without diversifying energy sources, attracting investments and technologies in the field of alternative energy and the production of “green” hydrogen.

The President of Uzbekistan noted vulnerabilities in ensuring food security in our region: insufficient scientific and technological development of the agricultural sector, acute shortage of water resources, long and ineffective value chains, instability to the climate crisis and logistics failures, healthy nutrition issues.

It is important to join forces and prepare, with the support of FAO, a regional partnership program in this area, given that the capabilities of our countries allow us not only to fully meet the needs of the intraregional market, but also to become an important exporter of food.

– Countering climate challenges is becoming the most important factor in ensuring sustainable development of the region. In this regard, we intend to hold the first Samarkand international forum dedicated to the climate agenda of Central Asia next spring, the head of state invited the delegations of the countries of the region.

As a practical contribution to ensuring climate resilience and green development, the adoption of a Regional Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change was initiated.

To form a unified climate agenda for the region and jointly take effective measures, it was also proposed to establish a multilateral platform “Central Asian Climate Dialogue” at the level of ministers of ecology.

“Our key priority has traditionally been cultural and humanitarian cooperation, which is based on common history, traditions, culture and values – the unity and diversity of the unique Central Asian civilization,” noted the leader of Uzbekistan.

In order to ensure systematic work in this direction, it was proposed to adopt an Action Plan to deepen cultural and humanitarian interaction between the countries of Central Asia.

At the same time, it is necessary to actively use the capabilities of the media and non-governmental organizations, modern information and communication technologies in promoting our unique cultural, historical and spiritual heritage in the international arena.

A practical step in this direction will be the creation of the International Media Platform “History and Culture of Central Asia: One Past and Common Future” with the involvement of scientists and representatives of the general public to create common content aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and regional identity.

Particular attention is paid to the youth policy of the Central Asian states.

– In order to consolidate our efforts to develop the competencies of young people, promote their professional training and ensure employment, we propose, with the participation of relevant international organizations, to create a Center for Empowerment and Self-realization of Central Asian Youth.

We also consider it important to establish regional scientific and educational grants and scholarships for talented youth of our countries in honor of such great Central Asian thinkers, scientists and philosophers as Al-Khorezmi, Farabi, Jami, Magtymguly, Chingiz Aitmatov, said the President of Uzbekistan.

An important direction is the expansion of cooperation in the field of security. The proposal to hold regular meetings on security issues with the coordinating role of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of our states was supported.

The Interstate Program for the Protection and Strengthening of the Borders of the Countries of Central Asia and the formation of a Regional System of Forecasting, Prevention, Early Warning and Joint Response to Emergency Situations were initiated.

One of the key factors directly affecting security and stability in Central Asia remains the situation in Afghanistan.

It was noted that Uzbekistan intends to continue to provide the necessary assistance to the Afghan people, to provide for these purposes an International Hub in Termez for humanitarian assistance, and to continue training Afghan citizens in a specially created educational center.

It was emphasized that, along with the further promotion of the Trans-Afghan Railway construction project, the restoration of Afghanistan’s internal transport arteries is in demand.

In addition, the importance of dialogue with the Afghan side on issues of border security, water use and trade development was noted.

At the end of his speech, the President of our country expressed support for the proposal to establish a Council of National Coordinators for Consultative Meetings and proposed the creation of an Economic Council of Central Asian States. The head of Uzbekistan expresses confidence that the results of the meeting will serve to further strengthen friendship, good neighborliness and strategic partnership of our countries, and develop full-scale regional cooperation.

The heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan spoke at the summit, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations addressed the participants with a video message.

As a result of the summit, the following documents were adopted: Joint statement on the results of the fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan on general directions of youth policy, Agreement on strengthening the interconnectedness of land transport in Central Asia, Regulations on the Council of National Coordinators for Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, “Road Map” in support of health and well-being in Central Asia for 2022-2025.