Mirziyoyev Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation in Central Asia
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed an informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan on 31 July on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.
In his remarks, he thanked Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov for initiating the meeting and for the hospitality extended to participants, saying he had been impressed by the results of the reforms carried out in the country during the past two days.
Mirziyoyev congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and expressed appreciation to Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for chairing the Consultative Meeting format.
The Uzbek president noted that the meeting was taking place ahead of the 35th anniversary of the independence of the region's states, each of which had followed its own path of state-building and economic development. He said that Central Asia, once divided, is now consolidating around shared development goals, while the complex international environment requires closer coordination among the countries.
Mirziyoyev attached particular importance to Azerbaijan's participation in the Consultative Meeting format, describing it as bringing cooperation to the macro-regional level. He said it creates an opportunity to establish a single development space linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Afghanistan.
The president called for the creation of a sustainable architecture for regional cooperation based on effective institutions, closer contacts between sectoral agencies, stronger ties among regions and long-term joint programmes. He also stressed the need to strengthen coordination within intergovernmental organisations and the "Central Asia Plus" formats.
Among the priority areas for cooperation, Mirziyoyev highlighted strengthening trade, economic and transport connectivity, developing industrial and technological value chains, expanding shared digital services and creating investment platforms. He said Central Asia should become a competitive hub for education, science and innovation in the field of big data by combining human resources, artificial intelligence technologies, data centres and energy capacity.
The president also addressed environmental issues, saying that this summer's extreme heat had once again demonstrated the impact of climate change on the economy, water and energy security, public health and quality of life. He said challenges affecting the region's shared natural environment require joint solutions that transcend national borders.
Speaking about humanitarian cooperation, Mirziyoyev said deeper interaction among the countries helps strengthen a sense of community and gradually foster a shared regional identity while preserving the national identity of each people.
Concluding his remarks, the Uzbek president expressed support for the initiatives presented during the meeting, wished Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the people of Kazakhstan success in holding the upcoming Kurultai elections, and said the strength of the region lies in unity, mutual trust and a shared commitment to building together.
