Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A forum of Uzbek-Kazakh friendship dedicated to the celebration of the 29th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence was held at the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Almaty, the Dunyo news agency reported.

The event was attended by the leadership of the Assembly of the Peoples of Kazakhstan in Almaty, representatives of socio-political, business, scientific and academic circles, public funds "Shugyla", "Altyn Kopyr", "Tulga Dostyk", Uzbek and Karakalpak ethnocultural centers of Almaty, compatriots.

In the welcoming speech of the head of the diplomatic mission, excerpts from the speech of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the solemn meeting dedicated to the 29th anniversary of the country’s independence were noted, the speech of the President of Uzbekistan at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly with new foreign policy initiatives was announced.

Gratitude was expressed to the Shugyla Public Fund for providing 20 oxygen concentrators to the Uzbek people as humanitarian aid as a sign of solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic with the presentation of a commemorative certificate.

Commemorative certificates for merits in further strengthening friendship and cooperation between the fraternal peoples of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were presented to the activists of the Uzbek and Karakalpak ethnocultural centers of the city of Almaty Dzhurakul Khodjaev and Kamal Sadeshov.

The deputy chairman of the Uzbek ethnocultural association of the city of Almaty Abdukhalil Uralbayev was awarded a new 5-volume edition "Uzbek tilining isohli lug’ati" ("Explanatory dictionary of the Uzbek language").

Speaking at the forum, the head of the secretariat of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan in Almaty, Nazaru Balkimbaev, highly appreciated the current level of Uzbek-Kazakh relations of strategic partnership, noted the growing dynamics of mutual trade, investment interaction, interregional and cultural-humanitarian ties. He especially highlighted the role of the Uzbek and Karakalpak ethnocultural centers of the city of Almaty in strengthening interethnic and interfaith harmony in Kazakhstan.

The guests speaking at the forum noted the successes and achievements of Uzbekistan achieved over the years of independence, the growing ties between the Uzbek and Kazakh peoples, expressed the warmest wishes to the people and the country’s leadership.

A concert program with the participation of Uzbek singer Bakhtiyor Matnazarov was presented to the participants of the event. Guests also had the opportunity to taste the dishes of the national cuisine, including the traditional Uzbek pilaf.