Fergana will host the first meeting of the Fergana Peace Forum

October 15-16, the first meeting of the Fergana Peace Forum entitled “Fergana Valley: joining forces for peace and progress” will be held.

Next week, Fergana will become a center of international dialogue and cooperation for several days.

The forum will be organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS) together with the Center for Progressive Reforms, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the International Institute for Water Resources Management and the Peacebuilding Hub, a platform that brings together authoritative international structures specializing in issues strengthening peace and social cohesion.

The event is held in partnership with the National Institute of Strategic Initiatives under the President of Kyrgyzstan, the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan, the Institute for Asian and European Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan with the support of the UN and the European Union.

The two-day forum will be attended by over 300 people from the countries of Central Asia, the CIS, Asia, Europe and America.

Among the guests of honor are the head of UNRCCA Kakha Imnadze, EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Center Kate Fearon, CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybai, SCO Deputy Secretary General Khan Sohail, UN Resident Coordinators in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

An important feature of the upcoming meeting will be its inclusive nature - representatives of civil society, youth, women's associations and expert and academic circles will take part.

The participation of leading international organizations in the field of peacebuilding is also envisaged, including the German Berghof Foundation, the Finnish M. Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, the Swiss PeaceNexus Foundation, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sweden).

The main goal of the forum is to create a permanent platform for strengthening dialogue, mutual trust, good neighborliness and development of a common strategy for the development of the Fergana Valley.

The agenda of the event includes a discussion of issues of ensuring stability and sustainable development of the Fergana Valley, unlocking its economic potential, building up cultural and humanitarian ties, expanding the role of the private sector, youth and civil society.

Under the auspices of the Fergana Peace Forum with the support of Kyrgyz partners and the Hub For the first time, “Yntymak Day” (Unity Day) will be organized for peacebuilding.

Among the expected results of the forum is the adoption of a Communiqué calling for the formation of a common space of friendship, good neighborliness and sustainable development of the Fergana Valley.

Speaking at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that “the era of closed borders, unresolved disputes and conflicts in Central Asia is a thing of the past. In recent years, the volume of mutual trade, investment and transport in our region has increased fivefold. Joint investment funds, border trade and industrial cooperation zones are being created, and large infrastructure projects are being implemented.”

The head of Uzbekistan emphasized that “today the process of forming a New Central Asia has begun. Thanks to its cohesion, stability and growing regional identity, it occupies an increasingly strong place in the system of international relations as an independent entity.”

“Peace in the Fergana Valley became possible thanks to the determination of the heads of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as the efforts of local communities that managed to turn differences into a source of strength,” said ISMR Director Eldor Aripov, commenting on the upcoming event.

According to him, “The Fergana Forum is designed to create a new image Fergana Valley as a space of peace, harmony and opportunity", demonstrating that the political will of the leaders of countries and the unity of peoples are capable of ensuring the stability and prosperity of the region."

IA"Dunyo"