The President of Uzbekistan outlined a number of priority areas for practical regional interaction in a new format

On November 16, the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was chaired by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The summit was attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Kakha Imnadze.

In accordance with the agenda, issues of further strengthening regional cooperation, as well as the implementation of joint projects and initiatives in priority areas, were considered.

At the beginning of the summit, the head of our state was pleased to announce Azerbaijan’s accession to the format of Consultative Meetings as a full participant. As the leader of Uzbekistan emphasized, this decision fully meets the interests of our peoples, firmly connected by a common history, family ties, spiritual and cultural closeness.

He also expressed confidence that this strategic step will give the Consultative Meetings a powerful impetus, open new horizons for expanding trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as developing consolidated decisions on issues of sustainable development.

– In fact, we will build a strong bridge between Central Asia and the South Caucasus, pave the way for the formation of a single space of cooperation, which will certainly strengthen the strategic interconnectedness and sustainability of both regions, said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Next, the leader of Uzbekistan gave a brief assessment of the integration processes in the region in recent years. It was emphasized that thanks to open dialogue and active joint efforts, effective solutions were found for a number of pressing problems for the region.

Territorial issues were finally resolved, border checkpoints were opened, mutually beneficial cooperation in the water and energy sector was established, transport links were resumed, favorable conditions were created for active trade, investment and humanitarian contacts.

– Today, Central Asia is an area of dynamic development and fruitful cooperation, opening up new opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity, the head of state emphasized.

The region is integrating into the world economy at an accelerated pace: its investment attractiveness is growing, export opportunities to third-country markets are expanding, and transit potential is increasing. Last year, the volume of mutual trade between the countries of the region reached $10.7 billion, the total volume of investments in Central Asia increased by 17 percent.

Systemic measures are being taken to ensure security and stability, counter the threats of terrorism and extremism, and cross-border crime.

International subjectivity is being strengthened and the role of the region in global issues is increasing, interaction is intensifying in the “Central Asia Plus” formats, the region speaks with a unified position on authoritative international platforms.

Confidence was expressed that with Azerbaijan joining the format, the region’s voice in the world community will become even more significant.

It was noted that more than 20 major events were held during the chairmanship of Uzbekistan. The work of the Forum of Interregional Cooperation at the level of deputy prime ministers was launched; for the first time, meetings of the heads of defense departments, heads of special services, as well as the ministers of geology, industry, agriculture, ecology and culture were held. The Day before, the Dialogue of Women Leaders of Central Asia was successfully held in Tashkent.

It was emphasized that all these events clearly demonstrate the systematic expansion of institutional foundations and mechanisms of regional partnership.

The head of our state noted that against the backdrop of complex and unpredictable international political processes, strengthening cohesion and mutual support of countries is of particular importance region.

– I am convinced that today we are on the threshold of the historical revival of the region as a New Central Asia. We have set ourselves the task of further strengthening the institutional foundations of our cooperation and developing a coordinated response to the challenges of security and sustainable development. It is already important for us to have a clear understanding of how we would like to see the region in 10-20 years,” said the President.

Further, the leader of our country put forward a number of initiatives to further strengthen regional cooperation.

First of all, it was proposed to transform the current meetings from a consultative form of regional dialogue into the strategic format “Community of Central Asia.” It was noted that the first steps towards this could be the development of Regulations on Consultative Meetings, the establishment of a Secretariat operating on a rotational basis, and raising the status of national coordinators to special representatives of presidents.

The President also advocated the creation of a Council of Elders from among authoritative public figures with rich life experience, which will help strengthen connections between generations, as well as strengthen regional solidarity and identity.

The Leader of Uzbekistan pointed out the priority of reaching a qualitatively new level of trade, economic and investment cooperation, which will increase in the medium term volumes of mutual trade and total foreign trade turnover by 1.5-2 times.

The importance of eliminating administrative barriers, simplifying tax and customs procedures, and joint use of free economic and industrial zones was emphasized.

– In our opinion, the development and adoption of a Comprehensive Regional Program of Trade and Economic Cooperation for the period until 2035, covering the above issues, will create favorable conditions for a significant increase in trade volumes, said the head of state.

In addition, the need to adopt a Declaration on a Common Investment Space to create a unified investment climate in the region was noted. The need for the development of a Program of Joint Measures for the Development of Electronic Commerce, aimed at harmonizing approaches in this area, creating virtual trading platforms and reliable digital payment systems was pointed out.

The joint development of high-tech regional infrastructure and transport and logistics potential was especially emphasized for the future of the region.

– We propose to consolidate efforts to implement strategically significant regional projects for the construction and modernization of power plants, transmission lines, roads and railways, border checkpoints, “green corridors”, fiber optic lines and others, noted the leader of our country.

The construction of the China railway has been identified as priority projects for interregional transport connectivity – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan and the Trans-Afghan transport corridor. Attention was drawn to the great potential of the Trans-Caspian routes connecting the region with the countries of Europe.

To coordinate work in these areas, it was proposed to create an Infrastructure Development Council at the level of deputy prime ministers.

In the context of ensuring regional security and stability, the documents adopted at the summit were highly appreciated - the Concept of Regional Security and Stability, as well as the Catalog of Risks and threats.

Given the impact of the situation in Afghanistan on the security and sustainable development of the entire region, the importance of integrating this country into regional infrastructure, energy and transport projects was emphasized.

The head of Uzbekistan also advocated turning the recently held Fergana Peace Forum into a regular international forum.

Against the background of increasing relevance for the countries of the region, issues of ecology, climate and water resource scarcity, the importance of the accelerated adoption of the Concept of “green” development of Central Asia was noted.

Given the growing water shortage in the region, it was proposed to declare 2026-2036 the “Decade of Practical Actions for the Rational Use of Water in Central Asia.”

The expediency of actively involving neighboring Afghanistan in the regional dialogue on the joint use of water resources in the Amu Darya basin was emphasized.

In order to invest in professional training in the water sector, the President of Uzbekistan took the initiative to create a Regional Competence Center in the field of water management on the basis of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers.

The Head of State also called for active participation in the World Forum on Water Conservation, which is planned to be held next year in our country.

Particular attention is paid to expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation. In this context, the hope is expressed that the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent will become a place of attraction for young people, their scientific and spiritual education.

It is also proposed to regularly hold the International Congress on Spiritual Heritage and Education, which was held for the first time on the eve of the summit in our capital.

In development of this topic, the President of Uzbekistan took the initiative to adopt a Special Resolution The UN General Assembly, dedicated to the contribution of prominent scientists and thinkers of our region to the development of global enlightenment.

As part of scientific and educational cooperation, it was proposed to create a Scientific Research Fund to finance interstate projects, encourage the academic community and expand opportunities for the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.

At the end of his speech, the leader of Uzbekistan noted that the documents adopted today and the initiatives put forward embodied the common goal of building a sustainable, safe and prosperous Central Asia.

– I would like to especially emphasize: our strength is in unity, our path to success is in friendship and cooperation. Only by uniting, relying on mutual respect, solidarity and strategic vision, will we be able to achieve our noble goals,” said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Head of State also congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on accepting the chairmanship of the Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in 2026, which will be held in the new format “Central Asia and Azerbaijan.”

Next, the leaders of the states of Central Asia and Azerbaijan spoke, as well as the head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Kakha Imnadze, who read an address from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.