The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has put forward a number of proposals on the prospects for further cooperation between the Central Asian states

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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, took part in the fifth anniversary Consultative Meeting of the heads of Central Asian States, held on September 14 in Dushanbe.

The summit, chaired by President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, was also attended by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as an honorary guest and Special Representative of the UN Secretary–General - Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia 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, activation of cultural and humanitarian exchange, as well as responding to modern challenges and security threats.

In his speech, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan highly appreciated the common efforts to strengthen relations of trust, good-neighborliness and partnership between the countries of the region.

– Thanks to joint efforts, we managed to make serious progress in solving vital issues and fill our cooperation with qualitatively new content. Political contacts and inter-parliamentary exchanges have become regular. Various platforms for dialogue and cooperation have been launched," the head of state noted.

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

Taking into account the in-depth analysis of the impact of global processes on the sustainable development of the region, it was noted that the possibility of effectively countering 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 cooperation between the Central Asian states.

– 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 cooperation in this direction with all countries of the region," the leader of our state stressed.

In order to increase the volume of trade, it is proposed to form a full-fledged free trade zone as soon as possible without exceptions and restrictions.

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

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

As promising areas for further deepening cooperation and the implementation of large industrial projects, the following are highlighted: production of mineral fertilizers, polymers, finished metal products; assembly of agricultural machinery; production of finished textile and food products with export to third countries.

In order to give a systematic character to joint efforts, it is proposed to develop a Strategy for the development of industrial cooperation of the Central Asian countries for the long term.

Special attention is paid to the issues of transport interconnectedness. It was noted that, taking into account the geographical remoteness from the main foreign markets, the share of freight transportation costs in our countries reaches 50 percent of the final cost of goods. At the same time, the global average does not exceed 11 percent. As a result, our economies are forced to carry a transport load two to three times more than in developed countries.

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

In addition, it was proposed to prepare a program of measures to liberalize the transport services market, optimize licensing procedures and consider the creation of an integrated digital platform for international transportation.

– 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 expansion of cooperation between line ministries and national companies in the field of geological exploration and development of promising fields, expansion of existing and creation of modern infrastructure for storage and supply of energy carriers was emphasized.

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

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

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

It is important to combine efforts 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 food exporter.

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

As a practical contribution to ensuring climate sustainability and "green" development, the adoption of a Regional Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change has been initiated.

In order to form a unified climate agenda of the region and jointly take effective measures, it is 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," the leader of Uzbekistan noted.

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

At the same time, it is necessary to actively use the capabilities of mass 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 an international media platform "History and Culture of Central Asia: One Past and a common future" with the involvement of scientists and representatives of the general public to form common content aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and regional identity.

Special 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 vocational training and ensure employment, we propose, with the participation of relevant international organizations, to create a Center for the 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, Makhtumkuli, Chingiz Aitmatov," the President of Uzbekistan said.

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.

An interstate program was initiated to protect and strengthen the borders of the Central Asian countries and the formation of a Regional system for forecasting, prevention, early warning and joint emergency response.

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