Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 22 April 2022, at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Bishkek organized a round table on the chairmanship of Uzbekistan in the SCO.

The main purpose of the event is to bring to the political circles of Kyrgyzstan the main priorities of Uzbekistan for the development of the SCO within the framework of the chairmanship in this Organization.

The event was attended by representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Institute for Strategic Studies, the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, prominent scientists, diplomats, political scientists, well-known experts from the host country (M.Sariev, K.Rakhimov, K.Ormushev, D.Berdakov, Sh.Baktygulov , E. Osmonbetov).

In her opening speech, Ch. Adamkulova, rector of the K. Dikambaev Diplomatic Academy, noted that in the context of geopolitical tensions, the role of the SCO as an organization with the largest geographical coverage is growing. In this context, this year Uzbekistan has been entrusted with an important mission to organize the next meeting of the SCO CHS in Samarkand, at which interaction within the Organization should be raised to a new level.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan N. Niyazaliev noted that among all the countries of the region, Uzbekistan is currently the most active in the international arena. Tashkent has long been a good platform for consultations on topical issues on the world agenda.

At present, Uzbekistan is the most proactive member of the SCO. It was emphasized that the agenda of the meeting of the SCO Heads of State in Samarkand will be rich and interesting in terms of regional development and introduction of new initiatives.

Supporting the words of the Deputy Minister, Head of the Department for Monitoring and Analysis of Reforms of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan A. Temirkulov noted that the current chairmanship of Uzbekistan in the SCO could be a turning point in the history of the Organization, which should demonstrate its significance and pragmatism. Kyrgyzstan will support Uzbekistan in all initiatives within the SCO.

According to A. Temirkulov, Tashkent plays an important role in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan, which is one of the main issues in the discussions at the SCO RATS.

Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan A. Subakozhoeva in her speech noted that in recent years the office of the SCO RATS in Tashkent has been effectively operating, through whose efforts channels of illicit trafficking in weapons, narcotic drugs, members of radical extremist and terrorist organizations. An important aspect of interaction within the framework of the SCO is information security, the fight against propaganda materials of extremist and terrorist organizations.

Adviser to the Director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies of the Kyrgyz Republic E. Osmonbetov noted that Uzbekistan is the most enterprising state in the SCO, as evidenced by the fact that in the period 2017-2021. President Sh. Mirziyoyev put forward more than 40 important and relevant initiatives at the SCO summits.

One of the important aspects of cooperation in the SCO is the threat to regional security, in particular Afghanistan. In this context, the role of Uzbekistan is especially high, as it is able to unite Central and South Asia.

The expert noted that in the context of geopolitical tensions, the initiative of Uzbekistan to combat poverty and solve the problem of food security is important. In this context, the Samarkand summit is called upon to introduce a new strategic vector that determines the further development of the SCO.

Kyrgyz expert, former adviser to the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic K. Rakhimov noted that there are two major transport projects in the SCO space - the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the Trans-Afghan corridor. These projects must be considered in the context of a single continental land ring. The only countries in the region that do not have transit railways are Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan. However, when the above projects are implemented, all beneficiaries will benefit from them, who must ensure their financing in proportion. 

Advisor to the rector of the Kyrgyz State University K. Ormushev noted that the main advantage of Uzbekistan is the fact that in recent years the country has managed to gain confidence, having already become a serious regional player shaping its agenda. At present, many countries of the region, incl. world powers are beginning to lose confidence. While Tashkent actively uses this privilege to promote initiatives, incl. within the SCO.

In general, an analysis of the assessments and opinions of official representatives and the expert community shows that the political circles of Kyrgyzstan positively assess Uzbekistan’s efforts to develop the SCO and are ready to support the implementation of the planned tasks under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan in this Organization.