Economic Recovery of Afghanistan – Key to Long-Term Peace in the Country

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 31 August –1 September 2025, an important political event took place in Tianjin: the latest meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Leaders from 20 countries and 10 organizations participated in the summit.

Ahead of the visit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev published an article titled “Uzbekistan and the SCO: Cooperation on the Path to Comprehensive Peace and Prosperity.” The President attended both the SCO Council meeting and, for the first time, the “SCO Plus” format session.

In his speeches, the Uzbek leader placed special emphasis on consolidating the efforts of SCO member states to support Afghanistan’s economic recovery.

This focus is deliberate, as the situation in Afghanistan is a key factor in maintaining security not only in Central Asia but across the SCO region.

Tashkent operates on the principle that building constructive cooperation with Afghan authorities, supporting the revival of a peaceful economy, and integrating Kabul into interregional processes are crucial for sustainable development.

In this context, President Mirziyoyev stated that regional stability cannot be ensured without considering developments in Afghanistan and establishing constructive dialogue between the international community and Afghan authorities.

He called on SCO member states to demonstrate political will and support Afghanistan’s socio-economic recovery and integration into the global community.

The Uzbek President also reiterated support for resuming the work of the SCO–Afghanistan Contact Group, whose primary task could include developing proposals to support socio-economic projects in Afghanistan.

Back in 2020, during an SCO heads-of-state summit, he proposed adopting a plan for Afghanistan’s socio-economic recovery as part of the roadmap for the Contact Group’s further actions.

Indeed, Afghanistan’s engagement in interregional processes will have a positive impact on its development. First, it will create opportunities for business and job creation, directing the country’s political and economic systems toward constructive growth. Second, stability in Afghanistan will enhance transregional connectivity between Central and South Asia, thereby increasing neighboring countries’ interest in investing in Afghanistan’s peaceful development.

These initiatives are particularly relevant amid worsening humanitarian and climate crises. According to the UN, 23 million Afghans currently require humanitarian assistance, and support from foreign donors has declined. As of May 2025, only 16% of the $2.42 billion requested in the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan was funded.

Afghanistan is also highly vulnerable to natural disasters. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 500,000 Afghans were displaced in 2024 due to floods, droughts, and other disasters. More than 10 million people were affected by climate-related threats during that period. On 1 September 2025, a recent earthquake in Afghanistan claimed over 800 lives.

In this context, consolidating efforts to support Afghanistan’s economic recovery through social, infrastructure, and humanitarian programs is of critical importance.

Uzbekistan has actively engaged Afghanistan in trade, facilitated training for Afghan specialists on its territory, and regularly provided humanitarian aid. Since 2021, Uzbekistan has sent 13 humanitarian shipments totaling over 12,000 tons. In 2022, with Uzbekistan’s support, the Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi Airport in Mazar-i-Sharif was restored.

Key infrastructure, including the Termez International Trade Center and the Termez International Transport and Logistics Hub, plays an important role in integrating Afghanistan into transregional processes between Central and South Asia.

As a result, trade between Tashkent and Kabul has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2024, trade exceeded $1 billion, up 13% from $867 million in 2023. Uzbekistan exports electricity, fertilizers, and hydrocarbons to Afghanistan, while importing dried fruits, juices, and carpets.

Uzbekistan’s consistent policy of engaging Afghan authorities in dialogue is not an end in itself; it aims to foster Afghanistan as a friendly, responsible neighbor and partner.

Overall, an approach focused on Afghanistan’s economic recovery is a key factor for long-term peace. Stability in Afghanistan is central to maintaining regional security in the SCO space. Active SCO involvement in normalizing the situation in Afghanistan will further strengthen the organization’s role as a responsible multilateral structure contributing to regional and international security.

Umarbek Nuriddinov,
Chief Researcher, Institute of Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan