Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, the International Conference on Afghanistan on the theme "Afghanistan: security and economic development" began its work in the capital’s Congress Center of the Tashkent City International Business Center, Dunyo news agency reported.

More than 100 participants from more than 20 countries, as well as leading international structures - the UN, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization, participate in the conference.

The delegation of the Interim Government of Afghanistan is headed by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

The conference was opened with an introductory speech by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov.

The special envoy of the head of our state on foreign policy issues Abdulaziz Kamilov read out an appeal to the participants of the conference by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It emphasizes:

Participation in its [conference] work of the representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Markus Potzel, is evidence of the continued commitment of the United Nations to the goals of strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The significance of today’s meeting is enhanced by the participation of special representatives of the European Union and European countries, China, Russia, the United States, the states of Central and South Asia, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. You are directly involved in decision-making to resolve the problems of Afghanistan and provide assistance to the Afghan people.

We are glad to see at our forum the leaders of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization, as well as representatives of international financial institutions and leading think tanks.

We welcome the representative Afghan delegation headed by with Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.