Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 16 November, an online conference was held on the topic "The emerging structure of regional security against the backdrop of growing Asia."

The event, organized by the Pakistani Center for Global and Strategic Studies, was attended by public and political figures, leaders and experts of think tanks from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and the Republic of Maldives.

The experts exchanged views on the current state and prospects for the development of the situation in Asia, on the role of international organizations, including the SCO, in ensuring security and stable development in the region. The issues of building mutually beneficial trans-regional cooperation were discussed.

Speaking at the conference, the head of the Institute of Strategic and Interregional Researches (ISMI) department Sadullo Rasulov presented the key aspects of Tashkent’s policy within the SCO. He acquainted the participants of the event with the initiatives announced by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the online meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO on November 10 this year.

Experts positively assessed the growing role of Uzbekistan in ensuring security and sustainable development on the vast Eurasian continent. The initiatives of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan received universal support.

In particular, it was emphasized that the unification of efforts of the SCO countries within the framework of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group through joint development and implementation of the Plan of Practical Measures to Promote the Socio-Economic Reconstruction of Afghanistan, initiated by the President of Uzbekistan at the summit of the SCO country, which is an important condition for expanding trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between South and Central Asia.

In addition, the participants of the videoconference were particularly interested in the proposal of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the SCO summit to hold in 2021 the International Conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Interconnectedness. Challenges and opportunities”. 

It was noted that the upcoming international forum is in great demand and will allow discussing topical issues of the formation of effective transport and economic corridors, the implementation of joint investment, trade, economic and cultural and humanitarian programs designed to strengthen the interconnection of the countries of Central and South Asia, return Afghanistan the role of a trans-regional bridge.

The event was widely covered in Pakistani media such as The National Herald Tribune, The Islamabad Post, The Daily Mail Karachi, Diplomatic News Agency, Daily Islamabad Post.