On May 26th 2021 the Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) held the first videoconference entitled: «New Uzbekistan – A New Foreign Policy».

Senior diplomatic representatives accredited in Riyadh and the prominent experts of Saudi scientific and business circles along with King Faisal Center for Islamic Studies took part in this event.

The experts of the ISRS, International Institute for Central Asia and Tashkent University of World Economy and Diplomacy provided broad assessments on various issues concerning current condition of relationship between Central Asia and the Middle East, as well as prospects for cooperation of Uzbekistan with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. They outlined the main features and priorities of Uzbekistan's foreign affairs with the Central Asian states, Afghanistan, and Middle Eastern countries.

During the event both sides talked over promising areas for enhancing cooperation between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, ongoing reforms and policy developments in the two countries, as well as a range of practical issues of bilateral ties in such fields as trade, investment and security.

In this context, the ISRS Deputy Director S.Valiyev noted that Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab economy, possessing a huge financial resources, investment, trade and economic potential whereas Uzbekistan, intensively improving investment and business climate, demonstrates a fast-growing market. He also considered the panel discussion between Uzbek and Saudi experts as a relevant and popular event, which would serve to find extra ways to enlarge bilateral ties. «Bringing Uzbek-Saudi relations to a qualitatively new level could start a new stage of cooperation between Central Asian and Middle East regions», – he said.

In turn, Head of the Asian Studies Unit at the KFCRIS Muhammad al-Sudeiri mentioned that the Saudi side pays a considerable attention to upgrade ties between the Kingdom and Uzbekistan in the light of marking 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Moreover, both sides take all necessary measures to establish close ties among their think tanks. Nowadays the KFCRIS is in close cooperates with several Uzbek research centers, including the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent. M.Sudeiri cited that Saudi and Uzbek nations interact through deep historical and spiritual roots. «Islamic civilization brings us together. The holy Islam cities – Mecca and Medina – are located in Saudi land while Bukhara, Samarkand, Margilan, Kokand, Termez are in Uzbekistan, where great Islamic scientists like Al-Biruni, al Bukhari, Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, Al -Farabiy, Avicenna and others were born and made their researches.

At present, such kind of historical roots serve as a solid foundation for enlarging mutually beneficial relations between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan in the fields of policy, trade, economy and culture.