President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the 17th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization held on July 4 in the city of Khankendi.
The event, chaired by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, was also attended by President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and 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 from several other countries and regional organizations.
Prospects for the further development of multifaceted cooperation within the ECO framework were reviewed, an exchange of views on pressing international and regional issues took place.
At the beginning of his speech, the President of Uzbekistan highlighted contemporary challenges to security and sustainable development.
The Uzbek leader once again emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts and disputes through diplomacy and constructive dialogue.
It was emphasized that achieving peace and stability in the Middle East is impossible without a just resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Turning to the meeting’s agenda, the President of Uzbekistan drew attention to a number of pressing issues.
First, in order to advance the Organization’s development priorities in the medium- and long-term perspective, the importance of adopting the concept “Strategic goals of economic partnership – 2035” was highlighted. In this document, along with traditional areas of cooperation, special attention should be given to strengthening collaboration in the fields of innovation, artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Issues such as the simplification of trade in goods and services, the gradual elimination of technical and non-tariff barriers, and the development of e-commerce remain particularly relevant.
To discuss strategic issues in this field and to adopt the Agreement on trade facilitation, it was proposed to hold a meeting of trade ministers in Tashkent this year.
The Head of State also initiated the creation of a “green corridors” system for the prompt exchange of information on agricultural trade and the unhindered supply of such products.
The importance of adopting a long-term “EcoInvest” program was emphasized, aimed at elevating investment cooperation to a new level and creating a more transparent and attractive investment environment.
– The main goal of the program should be the broad involvement of private investors, banks and international financial institutions in promising projects in our region, – stressed the President of Uzbekistan.
In the current geopolitical environment, a strategic priority was identified as the development of alternative transport corridors. It was noted that the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, which could be linked with the prospective Trans-Afghan corridor in the future, would allow for the efficient integration of transit networks across the wider region.
The Head of our State also proposed to accelerate the creation of a Digital Transport and Customs Agency to establish a systematic approach on the digitalization of the transport and logistics sector.
– Our current objectives include launching new air routes in the region, introducing innovative formats of cooperation between airlines, and developing integrated marketing strategies in the fields of tourism and aviation, – stated the President of Uzbekistan.
To discuss these issues, it was proposed to organize a forum of national airlines in Samarkand later this year.
The significant potential to double the tourist flow was highlighted. Achieving this goal will be facilitated by the adoption of a “roadmap” for expanding tourism services within the Organization.
Underscoring the importance of joining efforts in addressing the global climate agenda, the President initiated the development of a transboundary “green program” focused on creating forests and recreational zones in desert areas.
While positively assessing the work of the High-level committee, the Leader of Uzbekistan proposed that it could tasked with preparing concrete recommendations to improve the ECO’s activities ahead of the next summit.
– Reforms will help develop our cooperation on a new level, further strengthening the authority of the Organization on the international arena, – said the President.
In conclusion of his address, the Head of our state expressed confidence that the current summit will give a major impetus and open a new stage in the multifaceted practical cooperation in the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization.