Shavkat Mirziyoyev Vision at Cholpon-Ata Meeting

Analyst and Expert on Central Asia and Middle East

Muhammad Ali Pasha

Analyst and Expert on Central Asia, South East Asia, China, Türkiye and Middle East. Furthermore, he is a writer and poet.

Peace and stability of the region depend on unity and to take decisive measures to protect the shared interests of Central Asia

The Fourth Consultative Meeting of the heads of state of Central Asian countries was held in Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan on 21 July 2022.

Man of Distinctive Vision

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has “Distinctive Vision” of greater regional “connectivity” and socio-economic integration, which is “vital” for achieving peace, stability and harmony. It is an “ideal” combination of innovative, pragmatics foreign policy, commercial diplomacy and innovative mechanism of greater political understanding.

In Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev introduced numerous “structural reforms” in diverse sectors of economy, investments, FDIs, industry, trade, commerce, banking and last but not least, social development. He initiated new “concept” of foreign policy which further strengthened prospects of greater socio-economic prosperity and regional connectivity.

Uzbek President in his speech said thanks to regular dialogue in this format, it is possible to strengthen relations of friendship and good neighborliness, to create a completely new, constructive atmosphere of regional cooperation in Central Asia.

Key points of the speech by Shavkat Mirziyoyev at Cholpon-Ata

1. We are consistently addressing the difficult tasks of ensuring security and stability, sustainable socio-economic development of Central Asia, Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.
2. Conditions were created for the free movement of our citizens, active cultural and tourist exchanges.
3. A favorable environment has been formed that promotes the growth of mutual trade and investment.
4. The countries of the region embarked on implementing joint industrial cooperation projects include for:
   1. Creating effective value chains.
   1. Developing transport.
   1. Energy infrastructure.
5. He emphasized that peace, stability and prosperity of the entire region depend on our solidarity and readiness to take decisive measures to protect the common interests of Central Asia.
6. He said that the potential for trade and economic cooperation between regional countries still remains untapped. Today intra-regional trade accounts for, according to various estimates, from 5 to 10 percent of the total trade turnover of regional countries.
7. Talked about to create a system of border trade zones with unified rules and simplified procedures for the supply of goods.
8. Mirziyoyev pointed to the issues of digitalization of economic sectors, which will reduce costs and ensure the competitiveness of products.
9. Proposed to use the potential of direct interregional cooperation more widely and launch the annual Forum of Central Asian Regions.
10. Expressed gratitude to partners in the region for supporting the recently adopted special Resolution of the UN General Assembly on strengthening the connectivity of Central and South Asia at the initiative of Uzbekistan, and in development of this initiative advocated the development of a roadmap to promote priority alternative transport corridors to enter the markets of Pakistan, India and China.
11. Proposed to jointly develop a comprehensive scheme for guaranteed supply of a wide range of food products, which are produced in sufficient volume in the countries of Central Asia.
12. Proposed to alternately hold the Central Asian Festival of Art, Cinema and National Cuisine.
13. We need to further increase practical cooperation to fight against the traditional threats of extremism and terrorism, organized crimes and drug trafficking.
14. New challenges related to illegal activities on the Internet, the scale of which is increasing, require close attention. “Today there are no borders for these threats – they penetrate through mobile phones. Unfortunately, the recent tragic events in Uzbekistan have once again confirmed the presence of destructive forces that are trying to disrupt our plans, wreak havoc and instability in our region”, he said. In this regard, the President of Uzbekistan supported the proposal of the President of Tajikistan to launch regular consultations of the heads of security councils and special services of the countries of the region in these areas.
15. Emphasized that continuing close cooperation in promoting long-term peace and the socio-economic reconstruction of Afghanistan should remain a top priority.

Green Agenda of Uzbekistan for Central Asia

Within the framework of the “Green Agenda” program developed by Uzbekistan for Central Asia, partners were invited to focus on the issues of de-carbonization of the economy, the advanced development of alternative energy with the organization of mutual supplies of electricity, the widespread introduction of water-saving and environmentally friendly technologies, as well as the rational use of water resources. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated with regret that today the countries of Central Asia are far behind the leading regions of the world in the field of green development. To ensure the competitiveness of our countries in the long term, today it is necessary to instruct governments to prepare a Plan of specific actions for the implementation of the program adopted today, he said.

Closure Remarks

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the results of the Consultative Meeting would serve to strengthen the strategic partnership and trust of Central Asian countries, encourage promoting joint practical cooperation projects.