The President of Uzbekistan outlined the priorities for further development of cooperation within the ECO

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the 17th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Khankendi on July 4.

The event, chaired by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, was also attended by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the President of the Turkish Republic Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, Acting Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, ECO Secretary General Asad Majid Khan, as well as heads of delegations of a number of other states and regional organizations.

Prospects for the further development of multifaceted cooperation within the ECO were considered, views were exchanged on current international and regional problems.

At the beginning of his speech, the President of Uzbekistan noted modern challenges to security and sustainable development.

The Leader of Uzbekistan once again emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts and disputes through diplomacy and constructive negotiations.

At the same time, it was emphasized that achieving peace and stability in the Middle East is impossible without a fair resolution Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Moving on to the agenda of the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan drew attention to a number of topical issues.

First of all, in order to promote the development priorities of the Organization for the medium and long term, the importance of adopting the concept of “Strategic Goals of Economic Partnership - 2035” was noted. The document, along with traditional areas of interaction, should pay special attention to strengthening cooperation in the areas of innovation, artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

The issues of simplifying trade in goods and services, the gradual elimination of technical and non-tariff barriers, and the development of e-commerce remain especially relevant.

To discuss strategic issues in this direction and adopt an Agreement on Trade Facilitation, it is proposed to hold a meeting this year in Tashkent ministers of trade.

The head of state also initiated the creation of a system of “green corridors” for the rapid exchange of information on trade in agricultural products and their unhindered supply.

The importance of adopting the long-term Ecoinvest program was pointed out to bring investment cooperation to a new level, creating a more transparent and attractive investment environment.

– The main goal of the program should be the widespread attraction of private investors, banks and international financial institutions to promising projects in our region,” the leader of Uzbekistan emphasized.

The formation of alternative transport corridors is a strategic priority in the current geopolitical conditions. It was noted that the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, which in the future may be associated with the promising Trans-Afghan Corridor, will effectively connect transit networks in a vast region.

The head of our state also proposed accelerating the creation of the Digital Transport and Customs Department in order to establish systematic work on the digitalization of the transport and logistics sector.

– Our current tasks are the opening of new air routes in the region, the introduction of innovative formats of cooperation between airlines, the development of integrated marketing strategies in the fields of tourism and aviation,” said the head Uzbekistan.

In order to discuss these issues, it is proposed to organize a forum of national airlines this year in Samarkand.

It is indicated that there is great potential for doubling the tourist flow. The achievement of this goal will be facilitated by the adoption of a “road map” to expand tourism services within the Organization.

Noting the importance of joining forces on the global climate agenda, the President initiated the development of a transboundary “green program” to create forests and recreational areas in desert areas.

Positively assessing the work of the High-Level Committee, the Leader of Uzbekistan proposed to instruct the preparation of specific recommendations for improving the activities of the ECO before the next summit.

– The reforms will serve to develop our cooperation at a new level, further strengthening the authority of the Organization in the international arena, the President noted.

At the end of his speech, the head of our state expressed confidence that the current summit will give a powerful impetus and open a new stage in multifaceted practical cooperation within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Official website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan