The president Shavkat Mirziyoyev today attended and delivered remarks at the CIS Summit in Dushanbe, the presidential press service said.
The summit, chaired by the Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, was attended by the president Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, the president Alexander Lukashenko Belarus, the president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Kazakhstan, the president Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, the president Vladimir Putin of Russia, the president Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, and CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev.
At the beginning of his speech, Shavkat Mirziyoyev underscored that despite unpredictable processes in global politics and economics and the weakening role of international institutions, the CIS continues to demonstrate its resilience, effectiveness, and relevance.
"We are interested in further strengthening cooperation within the CIS, as well as increasing the effectiveness of practical interaction with countries that are our natural partners," the Uzbek president stated.
He underscored that Uzbekistan's trade with its CIS partners increased by 11% last year and that this figure continued to grow this year. The President attributed these figures to enhanced intersectoral cooperation and increasing investment flows.
To maintain the current pace and momentum of cooperation, the President of Uzbekistan proposed focusing efforts on several areas.
He pointed to the need to simplify procedures and requirements for the supply of certain goods, particularly agricultural products, and access to national markets, including public procurement.
The president underscored that it would be advisable to launch mechanisms within the CIS Economic Council for rapid response to changes in the external environment and the reorientation of trade flows, as well as to intensify efforts to coordinate draft agreements on technical barriers and the recognition of conformity assessment documents.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev underscored the bottlenecks in the CIS transportation network. He proposed creating information and logistics centers integrated with all modes of transport.
The head of state also proposed holding a conference in Uzbekistan on expanding public-private partnerships in the transportation sector.
Third, stimulating the growth of investment and supporting cooperation projects.
To this end, the Uzbek leader proposed preparing a roadmap for supporting and developing special economic and industrial zones, creating a CIS Venture Platform to deepen cooperation and promote innovative startups with business involvement, and holding an Innovative Industry Forum next year at the INNOPROM EXHIBITION in Tashkent.
The president advocated for the development and implementation of a long-term Program for Innovative Development of the Energy Sector in the CIS countries.
The president of Uzbekistan proposed developing a multilateral Action Plan to deepen cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.
The head of state also emphasized the importance of expanding joint projects and programs in science, education, culture, and the arts.
"Considering the dynamic development of the educational sector and labor market in our countries, we support the preparation of a new interstate agreement on the mutual recognition of diplomas, qualifications, and academic programs, and the introduction of a mechanism for harmonizing professional standards and qualification requirements," the President stated.
He also expressed readiness to host the CIS Youth Forum in Khiva next year. Its agenda is proposed to include the creation of a Youth Lab to foster an innovation ecosystem and support the creative and intellectual potential of the younger generation.
Regarding regional security, the president emphasized the importance of continuing close, systemic contacts between foreign ministries and intelligence agencies. The situation in Afghanistan requires particular attention.
"Uzbekistan is resolutely committed to ensuring long-term peace, stability, and sustainable development in Afghanistan." In this regard, we propose considering the possibility of joint participation in the implementation of major investment and infrastructure projects in this country," the head of state underscored.
Concluding his speech, Shavkat Mirziyoyev supported the reappointment of Sergei Lebedev as CIS Secretary General and wished the Turkmen president Serdar Berdimuhamedov success in assuming the organization's chairmanship.
