Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 22 December 2020, an Uzbek-Russian expert online conference was held on the topic: "The contribution of the chairmanship of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the development of the CIS." The event was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies (ISMI) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by prominent scientists and experts from leading research institutes and analytical centers in Russia and Uzbekistan, such as the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, the MGIMO Institute for International Studies, the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the Information and Analytical Center of Moscow State University and the Information and Analytical Center for International relationships.

The experts analyzed the trade and economic prospects, and also exchanged views on topical issues of the humanitarian agenda of the Commonwealth.

Opening the conference, the deputy director of ISMI Sanjar Valiev noted that the results of the past on 18 December. The summit of the CIS heads of state demonstrated the decisive attitude and interest of all participating states in the further development and improvement of mechanisms in all spheres of interaction.

The adopted Concept for the further development of the CIS and the Strategy for the economic development of the CIS until 2030, which will become the foundation for the formation of new relations for the benefit of the interests of the peoples of the Commonwealth, have become an important basis for multifaceted cooperation in the near future.

Ivan Safranchuk, Chief Researcher at IMI MGIMO, called the strategic guidelines adopted at the summit as an aspiration of the participating states to fulfill the urgent public demand for a new format of cooperation between the Association.

An important element of the successful implementation of the Concept of the updated format of interaction should be taking into account the interests of all its participants and responsibility for the implementation of decisions.

HSE professor Andrei Kazantsev emphasized that the holding of the summit itself in a difficult period is the merit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, an indicator of the pragmatism and success of Uzbek foreign policy.

The basis for the formation of a new format of cooperation should be the implementation of the announced topical initiatives in the trade and economic sphere. At the same time, a special place is given to Tashkent’s proposals for the development of industrial cooperation and the expansion of competitive transport corridors that are of increased interest to the business community.

Developing this opinion, the head of the department of the Informational-analytical center of international relations Murad Uzakov added that the interaction of the CIS member states in the implementation of large international infrastructure and investment projects that increase the interconnectedness of the CIS space is of great importance and promising prospects.

At the same time, the emphasis was placed on the creation of joint clusters, as well as the promotion of modern digital solutions in various sectors and industries of trade and economic interaction. This will give additional growth to economic relations on the CIS platform.

RISS expert Mikhail Makarevsky emphasized that during the presidency of Uzbekistan in the Commonwealth, the course towards enhancing cultural and humanitarian ties has significantly strengthened. Cooperation in this area contributes to maintaining peace in the CIS space, strengthening interethnic harmony and maintaining social and political stability.

It was stated that during the chairmanship, Uzbekistan rallied all participants to address the pressing challenges of our time, which again confirmed the reliability, relevance and viability of the Commonwealth as an important and effective platform for strengthening multifaceted cooperation.

The conference participants came to the conclusion that the renewal of the format and directions of strategic interaction in the Association comes from the current real requests of the member countries, taking into account new emerging trade and economic trends at the global and regional level. The potential of the CIS to activate beneficial multilateral cooperation remains high, there are good groundwork for further building up cooperation.