Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 15-16 September, Samarkand hosted a historic political event - a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan.

An event of this magnitude was held offline for the first time after the pandemic with the participation of 14 heads of state and representatives of many different international and regional organizations, including the UN, ESCAP, UNESCO, CIS, CSTO, EAEU, CICA, ECO, ASEAN and the Arab League.

As a result of the summit, more than 40 documents of a conceptual, strategic nature and defining new areas of multifaceted and multilateral cooperation within the SCO were signed.

All relevant issues for the countries of the Organization were considered, including the development of trade and economic relations, the creation of efficient transport corridors, the expansion of cooperation in the field of smart agriculture and the use of renewable energy sources, the promotion of industrial cooperation and digital literacy, and the strengthening of interaction in the healthcare sector.

Particular attention was also paid to strengthening the coordination of the SCO member states in promoting the establishment of a lasting peace and the socio-economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.

As the head of our country stated, the Afghan people more than ever need the neighborly assistance of the SCO countries. He again urged not to repeat the mistakes of the past and leave Afghanistan alone with its problems. It was noted that "the tightening of the sanctions policy and the further isolation of the current authorities of Afghanistan will inevitably lead to increased radicalization within the country and its transformation into a springboard for terrorist organizations."

Uzbekistan called for the development of a constructive dialogue with Kabul to fulfill the international obligations previously adopted by the interim authorities of Afghanistan, including in the field of the rights of women and children.

At the same time, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to jointly establish a special Humanitarian Support Fund for Afghanistan in the border city of Termez, using the modern infrastructure of the international transport and logistics hub created there. The Fund’s funds will be used to overcome the social crisis in this country, the implementation of educational programs for young people and projects in the health sector.

The initiative of Shavkat Mirziyoyev once again confirms the firm commitment of the Republic of Uzbekistan to achieving long-term and sustainable peace in the neighboring country, and is a logical continuation of a consistent constructive policy towards Afghanistan.

It should be noted that the leader of Uzbekistan has always advocated the socio-economic restoration of Afghanistan as an important condition for establishing lasting peace in this country. Moreover, the consolidation of the efforts of the SCO countries in overcoming the socio-economic crisis in Afghanistan will contribute to the elimination of the social basis of terrorism and extremism.

In particular, back in 2020, during the summit of heads of state, the SCO took the initiative to develop and adopt a Plan for the socio-economic recovery of Afghanistan as part of the practical implementation of the Roadmap for further actions of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group.

Undoubtedly, today Afghanistan is experiencing a humanitarian and socio-economic crisis of unprecedented scale. According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, in 2022 the number of Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance reached 24.4 million people, an increase of 6 million people. compared to 2021, which is 59% of the country’s population.

It is predicted that if urgent measures are not taken, Afghanistan will slide below the line of general poverty by the end of 2022, where 97% of the population will be in poverty. At the same time, UNDP predicts a 20 percent reduction in GDP by the end of 2022 compared to 2020, from US$20 billion to US$16 billion, which may also lead to a limitation in the ability of the new government of Afghanistan to fulfill its social obligations to the Afghan people. This, in turn, is fraught with an increase in poverty, an increase in instability and an increase in the activity of terrorist structures.

Under these conditions, Afghanistan, which is struggling to overcome a deep socio-economic crisis, is not able to cope with the growing problems alone.

Moreover, until recently, 75% of the state budget (US$11 billion) and 43% of the country’s economy were covered by international donors.

In this context, the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to create a special fund for the humanitarian support of Afghanistan is of particular relevance. This Fund will help to unite the efforts of the SCO countries to provide social and economic assistance to Afghanistan and implement projects in the field of education and healthcare.

It should be noted that the SCO has great potential to make a significant contribution to the return of Afghanistan to the path of peaceful development and the achievement of lasting peace in this country. At present, the total share of GDP of the SCO member countries in the structure of world GDP is about 25% (US$23.3 trillion). It is expected that in 2030 this figure may reach 40%. Moreover, the SCO countries account for 15.4% of world trade. In 2021, the total foreign trade turnover of the SCO countries amounted to US$8.1 trillion, of which exports - US$4.4 trillion and imports - US$3.7 trillion.

At the same time, even today the SCO countries are actively participating in supporting the Afghan people in their quest for peace and prosperity. Thus, the SCO member countries are among the main trading partners of Afghanistan, the volume of trade with which today is 60% of its total trade with foreign countries. In turn, the SCO space is the main market for Afghan products, more than 90% of exports of which are accounted for by the member countries of the Organization.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the SCO member countries provide significant assistance in ensuring the energy and food security of Afghanistan, covering more than 80% of electricity needs and more than 90% of food wheat and flour.

In addition, the SCO states are actively providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people in order to quickly overcome the socio-economic crisis in that country.

In particular, since August 2021, Pakistan has supplied 15,000 tons of aid to Afghanistan, the Russian Federation - 244 tons, India - 32 tons of medical aid, including 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, Kazakhstan - 20,000 tons, Tajikistan ¬ - 2.5 thousand tons, China - 600 tons of humanitarian aid.

From September 2021 to the present, 5 echelons of humanitarian cargo from Uzbekistan have been sent to Afghanistan with a total volume of about 10,000 tons, including food products, medical supplies and coal. Moreover, our country also performs an important intermediary mission, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to this country sent by the international community through the UN international logistics hub in Termez.

Uzbekistan makes its contribution to support the national economy of Afghanistan, covering about 52% of the import of electricity (2.7 billion kWh) of the country. Despite the difficult situation, the work of the transport hub in Termez is ensured, through which about 32% of Afghan imports go. This is primarily food, medicines and oil products, which are so necessary for the life support of the Afghan state.

Uzbekistan contributes to the training of national personnel, which is so necessary for the reconstruction of the Afghan economy.

In particular, in 2018, the Educational Center for Afghan citizens was launched in Termez and continues to operate today. This is the only institution in the world that trains Afghans in 17 areas of higher and 16 areas of secondary specialized, vocational education. Currently, 129 Afghans are being trained at the center.

In general, Uzbekistan’s proposal to create a special Fund for Humanitarian Support to Afghanistan is fully consistent with the main tasks of the SCO, which involve the joint provision and maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region.

At the same time, economic prosperity and sustainable development of the entire vast SCO region are inextricably linked with the achievement of lasting peace in the long-suffering Afghan land.

In turn, the active participation of the SCO in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan will enhance the Organization’s status as a responsible multilateral structure making a significant contribution to ensuring regional and international security.

Umarbek Nuriddinov

Leading Researcher at ISMI under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan