Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 10 December 2022, the fifth Central Asian expert forum on the topic: "Current aspects of regional cooperation on climate change, water use, security in the food sector and in the field of information and communication technologies in the region of Central Asia” was held in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.

The event was attended by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Gherman, as well as directors and experts of think tanks of the countries of the region, including Director of the International Institute of Central Asia Anvar Nasirov and Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akrom Nematov.

An exchange of views took place on topical issues of climate change, water use, issues of ensuring security in the food sector and in the field of information and communication technologies in the region.

Addressing the forum participants, Natalia Gherman reminded that UNRCCA, having established close ties with the institutions of strategic research in the countries of the region, contributed to the formation of the Central Asian expert forum as a platform for discussions and promotion of preventive diplomacy in Central Asia. The first meeting of the forum was held in 2018 in Uzbekistan, the second - in Kazakhstan. The next two meetings were organized online in 2020.

- It is gratifying that the results of our activities are properly reflected in the final documents of the Consultative Meetings of the Leaders of the Central Asian States, - the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General emphasized, noting that the fifth forum of experts is taking place against the backdrop of active rapprochement between the countries of the region and deepening cooperation between them, especially given the difficult international environment.

Director Anvar Nasirov, expressing gratitude for the organization of this event to the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, noted that all the issues that were raised at the event are of particular relevance for the development of the countries of the region and will allow "synchronizing watches" , develop joint, coordinated measures, bring to new initiatives of a regional nature.

It was emphasized that fundamental positive changes have taken place in the region in recent years. Thanks to the strengthening of friendship, mutual trust and support, the countries of Central Asia have made progress on many issues.

According to A. Nasirov, these dynamics had a positive impact on the interaction of the states of the region on water issues, thus creating the prerequisites for mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation in the long term.

It was noted that the main goal of the forum is to analyze the current situation in the region and beyond, to identify the main issues requiring attention, to propose measures that will help improve cooperation on climate change, joint water use, food security and information security. communication technologies of all states of Central Asia.

Attention was focused on cooperation in the fight against climate change in Central Asia. This was dictated by the fact that according to the World Bank report, the average temperature in the region has already increased by 0.5 degrees and by 2030-2050. an increase of another 1.6-2.6 degrees is predicted, which will increase the existing water deficit, especially against the backdrop of population growth, industrial production, agricultural development, and an increase in natural disasters.

Today, all countries of Central Asia already successfully operate cooperation mechanisms in a bilateral format, where current issues, future projects and promising areas of cooperation are discussed.

During the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kazakhstan in December last year, it was decided to intensify the activities of the Joint Working Group to develop proposals in all areas of water relations between the two countries. The importance of practical measures to accelerate the introduction of the latest water-saving technologies, the implementation of joint measures for planting forests in the Aral Sea region was emphasized.

Decisions have been made and relevant documents signed between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on the Kasansay and Andijan reservoirs, which contributes to the joint use of these facilities on a mutually beneficial basis.

Along with the stable development of long-term water cooperation by Tajikistan, a project has been launched for the joint construction of a hydroelectric power station on the territory of a neighboring state on the Zarafshan River, which meets the interests of not only the two fraternal countries, but the entire region.

With Turkmenistan, with which there are no unresolved issues on water use issues, the reconstruction of the Sultansanjar dam of the Tuyamuyun reservoir has begun. In addition, in July this year, during the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan, a historic Agreement on the management, protection and rational use of the water resources of the Amu Darya River was signed.

It is important to note that Uzbekistan has very productive and successful joint commissions on water management issues.

In addition, our country pays great attention to improving the efficiency of the unique platform for regional water partnership - the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

As A. Nasirov noted, today there is no other alternative to solving water and environmental issues, except for the search for a balance of interests and the achievement of an all-regional agreement, which is undoubtedly facilitated by the ever-increasing constructive dialogue of the countries of Central Asia.

In addition, the director of MICA drew attention to the issues of ensuring food security in the region.

Currently, Uzbekistan is working with all Central Asian countries on projects in the field of seed production, the creation of joint clusters and projects, the introduction of modern technologies, and the issues of training personnel for the agro-industrial complex.

At the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regular meetings of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Central Asian countries have been launched. Discussion at a professional level of problems, joint development of solutions, common tasks that allow you to remove barriers and increase the efficiency of the industry.

A special place among them is occupied by agro-industrial cooperation, the effective use of the comparative advantages of each of the countries of the region in solving the problems of food security.

If earlier, speaking about successes in this matter, they focused mainly on the growth of mutual trade, now many other examples can be cited. Agro-industrial cooperation allows us to use the achievements of other countries and successfully solve common problems without being limited at the national level.

Thus, the traditional ties between Uzbek and Kazakh research institutes have acquired a new breath. Joint projects are being developed in the field of harmless biological products that heal the soil and increase its fertility by synthesizing organic matter.

Agricultural technologies are being developed for the production of lentils and soybeans bred by Kazakh breeders in the conditions of Uzbekistan, pome and stone fruit crops of Uzbek selection - in Kazakhstan.

A project is being implemented with the participation of scientists from both countries to develop new varieties of cotton.

Kyrgyzstan is showing great interest in the development of grain growing using Uzbek seeds, as well as early ripe varieties of cotton, seedlings of fruit trees. It is planned to implement a project to create a joint seed-growing enterprise in Kyrgyzstan to grow seeds of wheat and other grain crops.

A joint “Road Map” on cooperation in the field of agriculture was adopted with Tajikistan, the implementation of joint projects in the field of horticulture, horticulture, personnel training and others has begun.

Along with this, A. Nasirov, Director of MICA, touched upon the issues of ensuring security in the field of information and communication technologies.

Today, information and communication technologies have become a system-forming factor in the life of modern society. They have an impact on the political, social, economic, military and other spheres of security.

Over the past 10 years, the number of Internet users has more than doubled, rising from 2.18 billion at the beginning of 2012 to 5 billion in July 2022 (63.1% of the world’s population). Research shows that on average each user spends almost 7 hours a day on the Internet.

Wide coverage of the population with the Internet and digitalization give a synergistic and multiplier effect to the development of the digital economy.

According to the UN, in 2021 the share of the digital economy in global GDP was about 15.5%, in the medium term the level of digitalization of the global economy will exceed 40%. Already today, almost 60% of internet users of working age make online purchases every week.

At the same time, the cross-border nature of the challenges and threats in this area requires the constant development of joint actions at the bilateral, regional and international levels. Thus, in 2021 alone, the damage from cybercrime exceeded, according to various estimates, more than $6 trillion. (in 2015 - $3 trillion), and by 2025 it will already reach $10.5 trillion. Cybercrime is expected to be up to five times more profitable than all global transnational crimes combined.

In this regard, it is necessary to consolidate common efforts and coordinate joint actions in order to increase the effectiveness of information security, create better conditions for educating the younger generation, and protect young people from the impact of various radical ideas. This, in turn, will ensure the successful development of the state and society, will contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development in Central Asia.

In conclusion, it was noted that in the current conditions it is necessary to quickly and maximally use the existing potential of regional partnership in the interests of common development and prosperity, as well as to actively pursue the course of further rapprochement, which is in the interests of the fraternal countries and peoples, will strengthen the thousand-year-old relations of friendship and good neighborliness.