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

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.  President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General - Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Kakha Imnadze also took part as honored guests.

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

''Through common efforts we have made serious progress in resolving vital issues and filled our cooperation with a qualitatively new content. Our political contacts and inter-parliamentary exchanges have become regular. Various platforms for dialog and cooperation have been launched, "the Head of our state noted.

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

Considering in-depth analysis of impact of global processes on the region’s sustainable development, it was noted that the ability to withstand such threats depends on the consolidation of joint efforts aimed at deepening multifaceted partnership.

In this regard, the President of Uzbekistan put several proposals on the prospects of cooperation among the Central Asian countries.

"Trade and economic cooperation is the primary driver of regional partnership and integration. We are creating all the necessary conditions in Uzbekistan for the development of practical interaction in this direction with all countries of the region”, the Leader of Uzbekistan emphasized.

In order to increase the volume of trade turnover, the early formation of a full-fledged free trade zone without exceptions and restrictions was proposed.

In this regard, it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive regional Program which works for forming stable trade and logistics chains in the region; opening and expansion of trade and cooperation centers in border regions; harmonization of legislation and elimination of barriers on mutual trade; creation of unified electronic platforms for customs administration, sanitary and phytosanitary control, certification of goods' country of origin, as well as the launching of a regional e-commerce platform.

Considering the development of industrial cooperation among the countries of the region, the President of Uzbekistan noted 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.

Production of mineral fertilizers, polymers, metal products, ready-made textiles and food products as well as assembly of agricultural machinery for exporting to third countries can be promising directions for further deepening cooperation and implementing large-scale production projects.

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

Special attention was paid to the issues of transport interconnectivity. It was noted that, given the geographical remoteness from the main foreign markets, the share of freight transportation costs in our countries reaches up to 50 percent of the final cost of goods. At the same time, the world average does not exceed 11 per cent. As a result, our economy is forced to raise transport costs 2-3 times more than in developed countries.

In order to further increase the transport potential of region's countries, it was proposed to develop an Agreement on Transport and Transit in Central Asia within the framework of the sector ministers' meetings, to form specific mechanisms for promoting efficient transport corridors to access the markets of China, South Asia and the Middle East, the European Union with the usage of through tariffs favorable for business.

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

"Unfortunately, the pace of energy infrastructure development in the region lags behind the speed of industrialization and urbanization process, as well as demographic growth. Today, this is a serious challenge to the long-term sustainable development of our countries," the President pointed to the problem of ensuring energy security.

The importance of further enhancing the cooperation among ministries of different sectors and national companies in the geological exploration and development of promising deposits; expansion of the existing ones and creation of modern infrastructure for energy storage and supply was also stressed.

In addition, the construction of new highways for electricity supply should become an important direction in our cooperation.

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

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

It is important to join efforts and develop a Regional Partnership Program with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Since, countries of Central Asian have the capacity not only to cover fully the current needs of the domestic market of the region with food products, but also to become important food exporters.

"Combating the threats associated with climate change is becoming the most important factor in ensuring the sustainable development of the region. In this regard, we intend to hold an international forum on climate change in Central Asia next spring in Samarkand", - the Head of state invited the delegations of the countries of the region to this forum.

The Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy was initiated as a practical contribution to climate resilience and green development. As a practical contribution in ensuring climate stability and "green" development, an initiative was taken to adopt a Regional Strategy for Adaptation to climate change.

It was also proposed to establish a multilateral platform "Central Asian Climate Dialogue" at the level of ecology ministers to form a common climate agenda in the region and jointly take effective measures.

"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," Uzbek leader said.

In order to ensure systematic work in this direction, it was proposed to adopt the Action Plan on deepening the cultural and humanitarian cooperation of Central Asian countries.

At the same time, it is necessary to actively use the capabilities of the mass media and non-governmental organizations, modern information and communication technologies to promote 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", involving scholars and representatives of the general public to create a common content aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and regional identity.

Special attention was paid to the youth policy of the Central Asian countries.

 "In order to unite our efforts to develop the knowledge and skills of young people, prepare them as mature qualified personnel and ensure their employment, we propose to establish a center for expanding the opportunities of Central Asian youth and realizing their potential with the participation of international organizations," - said the President of Uzbekistan.

Expansion of cooperation in the field of security was noted as an important. The proposal to hold regular meetings by coordinated secretaries of the Security Councils from countries was supported.

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

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

As noted, Uzbekistan will continue to provide the necessary assistance to the Afghan people. For this purpose it will provide the international hub in Termiz for humanitarian aid, and will continue to educate and train Afghan citizens in a specially organized educational center.

Along with further advancement of the Trans-Afghan railway construction project, it was noted the need to restore Afghanistan's internal transport routes.

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

At the end of his speech, the President supported the proposal to establish the Council of National Coordinators for Consultative Meetings and suggested the establishment of the Economic Council of the Central Asian States.

The head of Uzbekistan expressed confidence that the results of the meeting will serve to further strengthen friendship, good-neighbourliness and strategic partnership between our two countries, as well as the development of full-fledged regional cooperation.

The leaders of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan spoke at the summit, the Secretary General of the United Nations sent a video message to the participants of the summit.

The following documents were adopted as a result of the summit: Joint Statement on the results of the Fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States, Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan on common directions of youth policy, Agreement on strengthening the interconnectivity of land transport in Central Asia, Regulations on the Council of National Coordinators for the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of Central Asian States, "Road Map" in support of health and well-being in Central Asia for 2022-2025