Speech by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the second summit in the “Central Asia – Russia” format

Dear heads of delegations!

I join in the words of gratitude addressed to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, dear Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon for the traditionally warm welcome and excellent organization of our meeting.

Every time we come to Tajikistan, we witness great creative work carried out under your leadership. The image of the country is changing before our eyes - the economy and infrastructure are dynamically developing, most importantly - the well-being of the population is growing.

I am sincerely grateful to the President of the Russian Federation, respected Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, for his commitment to developing a full-scale strategic partnership with Central Asia.

I would especially note: Uzbekistan always feels and appreciates your support and personal attention to the issues of strengthening allied relations and multifaceted cooperation with the region.

I fully support the initiatives you have put forward aimed at giving new dynamics to the interaction of our countries, which are natural partners.

Dear heads of state!

I would like to emphasize: Russia was, is and will always be the key for us, a priority strategic partner and ally.

The strong, unshakable basis of such cooperation is the common history, centuries-old ties, cultural and mental closeness of our peoples, friendly and trusting relations of our countries.

At the same time, growing geopolitical tension and crisis phenomena in the global economy, new challenges and threats require closer coordination and cooperation in our format to ensure stability in the region.

Based on the agenda, I would like to outline our vision of the prospects for full-scale interaction between Central Asia and Russia.

We consider it important to strengthen systemic political dialogue and expand practical cooperation in this format, focused on achieving specific results.

We advocate holding annual summit meetings, regular government contacts, ministries, departments and regions. In this regard, we support the adoption of the Joint Action Plan until 2027.

At the same time, we propose to instruct governments to prepare an expanded, more detailed “road map” with specific measures to deepen practical interaction.

In order to monitor the timely implementation of our instructions, prepare and accelerate the implementation of programs and projects of regional significance, we believe it would be advisable to establish Coordination Council at the level of deputy heads of government.

We are interested in radically expanding the economic partnership of our region with Russia. We consider this the main direction of joint work.

In the context of continued unfavorable market conditions and increased external influence, we are able to ensure positive dynamics in mutual trade indicators. Thus, based on the results of last year and this year, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with Russia and the countries of the region increased to 15 percent.

We consider it advisable to continue this work and, within the framework of the Council proposed by us, to develop comprehensive measures aimed at increasing the volume of trade turnover. We are talking about facilitating mutual access to commodity markets, simplifying procedures, and launching the Agroexpress Central Asia - Russia project.

The effective use of the transit and transport potential of our countries, primarily within the North-South corridor, is of vital importance.

We stand for the integration of national programs in the field of road, rail and aviation communications and the development on this basis of a comprehensive plan for infrastructure partnership - the Transport and Logistics Contour of our countries.

The ultimate goal should be the formation of an integrated, interconnected regional transport infrastructure that is resistant to external challenges.

We see another priority area as building sustainable production chains and deepening industrial cooperation.

Today, Uzbekistan is actively expanding its industrial partnership with leading Russian companies. As examples, I would like to cite the ongoing large strategic projects in the gas chemical industry and the creation of a modern copper processing hub.

At the same time, there are huge reserves for increasing cooperation in the field of mechanical engineering, precision instrumentation, chemical, electrical, mining, and other industries on a cluster basis.

To stimulate innovation-oriented cooperation of leading enterprises and the private sector, we advocate the creation of the Industrial Engineering Hub “Central Asia - Russia” in the city of Bukhara.

I am confident that this project can become a unique technological platform for the development, implementation and replication of advanced engineering solutions.

I would like to note the importance of maximizing the capabilities of the exhibition-forum “Innoprom. Central Asia" in Tashkent. The fifth exhibition, held in April, brought together over 10 thousand participants from 35 countries. Deals worth five billion dollars have been concluded.

We propose to give this event the status of the main industrial and innovation platform in the format of the dialogue "Central Asia - Russia."

Dear colleagues!

Energy cooperation between our countries and Russia will continue to be a factor in the stability and resilience of the region. Today we are implementing strategic projects, including the development of gas pipelines and energy infrastructure.

These days a historical event will take place - the implementation of joint projects will be launched for the construction of the first reactor installation of a future nuclear power plant and a multifunctional Center for Nuclear Medicine in Uzbekistan.

We propose to establish broad scientific and practical cooperation in this direction - to establish a Regional center of competence for nuclear energy in Uzbekistan, as well as adopt a training program on the basis of the Tashkent branch of the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute.

In addition, we intend to expand cooperation in the field of exploration and processing of hydrocarbons, modernization of the electric power industry, implementation of energy-efficient solutions.

In order to transfer advanced knowledge and technologies, training and promoting joint projects, it is advisable to develop a comprehensive Program “Energy Partnership of Central Asia and Russia”.

In the field of innovation, we propose opening branches of the Skolkovo Center in our countries.

We also consider the establishment of a Regional Expert Council on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies to be in demand.

I am confident that such a platform will allow us to consolidate efforts and establish project cooperation at the level of our leading centers, organizations and IT companies.

We also intend to increase humanitarian cooperation through the implementation of joint programs. In this regard, we consider it appropriate to hold an annual ethnocultural forum - the Festival of Culture, Art and Creativity of the Peoples of Central Asia and Russia.

We propose to launch the scientific and educational Consortium “Engineers of the Future”. This platform is designed to combine the potential of leading universities and research structures of our countries in order to introduce a system of dual and vocational education, implement fundamental scientific developments.

Successfully operating branches of Russian universities can become the intellectual base of the Consortium. There are already fifteen such branches in Uzbekistan.

In this regard, they could jointly establish a Special Grant Program for young researchers and scientists from Central Asia and Russia.

In addition, it is relevant to adopt programs in the field of child and maternal health, promoting social adaptation in the field of labor migration, as well as expanding the tourist flow based on regional routes.

Dear heads of delegations!

I would like to dwell specifically on the issues of ensuring regional security.

We consider it important to continue to increase close cooperation between special services and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, extremism, radicalism, organized crime, human trafficking and drug trafficking.

We propose to jointly develop measures to counter new cyber threats and challenges.

In order to coordinate approaches to developing cooperation and promoting the socio-economic development of Afghanistan, we propose to consider the possibility of holding high-level consultations. The agenda of these meetings could include issues of cooperation in the field of security, the implementation of economic projects designed to ensure stability and development of this country.

Dear colleagues!

In conclusion, I would like to once again emphasize our commitment to further expand multifaceted cooperation with Russia in the interests of ensuring the security, sustainable development and prosperity of our countries.

Official website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan