Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Speaking at the international online forum "Security and Development of Central Asia in the New Situation in Afghanistan", Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Eldor Aripov stressed the importance of intensifying the provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

According to the UN, almost half of the Afghan population cannot survive without humanitarian aid. Already, every third Afghan has no food.

In this regard, as the head of the ISMI noted, “this country should not be left alone with its problems, on the margins of the world agenda. It is important not to repeat past mistakes, not to forget what catastrophic consequences they can lead to”.

Otherwise, according to E. Aripov, "alienated" Afghanistan, as international aid and attention decrease, may again become a source of permanent threats for neighboring countries.

Talking about the measures taken by Uzbekistan, he said that "despite the difficult situation, we did not stop the work of the Uzbek-Afghan transport hub - the most important artery for the supply of food and oil products."

Tashkent was one of the first to send humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, consisting of food, medicine and clothing. In addition, the main UN logistics center began operating in Termez to provide assistance to Afghanistan.

In this regard, the head of the ISMI pointed out the fundamental importance of combining efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, preempting the threats of extremism and terrorism, and involving Afghanistan in mutually beneficial regional economic ties.

As a reminder from the editorial board, on 19 November, an online Forum of analytical centers in China and Central Asia took place. The event is organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (KAON). It was attended by the heads of the leading institutes of strategic studies of the countries of Central Asia and China, as well as the heads of diplomatic missions of the Central Asian states in Beijing. 

Uzbekistan was represented by the directors of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Eldor Aripov and the International Institute of Central Asia Anvar Nasyrov. Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Vladimir Norov spoke at the opening ceremony of the Forum.