Astana/Kazakhstan: 13 Oct 2022 – President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pointed out an unprecedented lack of dialogue and trust, and growing uncertainty in international relations. He has suggested priorities for joint interests of common security, development, and prosperity in his speech at the CICA Summit Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia held in Astana on 13 Oct 2022.
He emphasized focusing on the following priorities;
First. The situation in Afghanistan requires special attention.
Unfortunately, against the backdrop of other acute international problems, the issue of the Afghan settlement began to fade into the background.
We must not allow a repetition of the sad experience of the past, when this country actually turned into an international terrorist hub.
It is necessary to develop common, coordinated approaches to interaction with the interim government of Afghanistan.
In order to achieve a broad consensus on the Afghan issue and take practical measures at the global level, we propose to consider the possibility of a joint appeal by Asian countries to the United Nations General Assembly with the initiative to form a high-level international negotiating group to prepare and agree with the Afghan authorities on an algorithm for the phased fulfillment of the obligations of the parties.
Second. We are increasingly confronted with a broad expansion of radical ideas.
Using new methods of propaganda and ideological influence, destructive forces actively involve young people in extremist organizations.
In this regard, we need to establish systemic cooperation in order to protect our youth from radicalism and direct their energy towards a creative path.
Young people should believe in themselves, feel a sense of belonging to the formation of a just future, have the opportunity to realize their potential and hopes.
As co-chairs of the Youth Council of the Meeting, we also propose to launch a new format – the Dialogue of Generations, designed to promote better mutual understanding between people of different ages, a joint search for solutions to the most pressing problems of youth.
We are ready to hold the first such meeting as part of the Youth Leadership Forum in Samarkand in April 2023.
Third. The key issue on the agenda of today’s meeting is the adaptation of our economies to the growing negative consequences of the global crisis. It’s important here:
– prevent the strengthening of protectionism, as well as the introduction of new restrictions that destabilize global markets;
– Strengthen interconnectedness in the Asian region, primarily through the creation of production and logistics chains and transport corridors that effectively connect Central Asia with South and East Asia, as well as the Middle East.
Fourth. Overcoming the challenges of sustainable development will be the promotion of the knowledge economy as the basis for the transition to a new stage of the global industrial revolution.
We consider it expedient to use the potential of innovation transfer more fully, to actively stimulate digitalization, the development of cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of things.
In these areas, Asian countries have every opportunity to jointly achieve global leadership.
Fifth. Most of the countries on our continent are also major food importers and are acutely feeling the effects of the food crisis.
According to the World Food Organization, about half of the world’s population suffering from hunger lives in Asia.
The paradox lies in the fact that at the same time our countries are the world’s leading food producers.
In this regard, new approaches are especially needed today in such areas as:
– formation of sustainable schemes for food production and optimal chains of its delivery;
– harmonization of technical regulations for the growth of intra-regional trade;
– creation of an integral system for monitoring food security in Asia.
We propose to discuss all these issues at the International Conference under the auspices of FAO, which will be held in Uzbekistan next year.
Sixth. In order to solve the problems of ecology and climate change, I propose to join our efforts and launch regular expert consultations within the framework of the Green Asia conceptual program on intensive planting of greenery in our countries and support for vulnerable ecosystems.
President said:
I join the words of gratitude addressed to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, esteemed Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, for the excellent organization of our meeting.
I share the assessments of the Conference’s activities that have been made today.
Over the past period, this structure has shown its relevance as an important platform for a broad and open dialogue on security, strengthening mutual trust and sustainable development in Asia. We express our readiness to take part in joint work on the transformation of our forum.
Today we are witnessing an unprecedented lack of dialogue and trust, growing uncertainty in international relations.
All this undermines the foundations of multilateral cooperation, provokes the escalation of conflicts, and leads to systemic failures in the global economy.
New geopolitical realities have a negative impact on the stability of the entire Asian region.
Crisis phenomena directly affect the states of Central Asia and hinder our efforts to deepen economic integration.
“I am convinced that it is possible to effectively overcome modern challenges only through dialogue, taking into account the interests of each other and observing the generally recognized norms of international law.”
“That is why the main goal of the Samarkand initiative of solidarity put forward by us in the name of common security and prosperity is to involve in a constructive dialogue all those who care about the future of mankind, who strive for peace, harmony and common prosperity.”
“We support Kazakhstan’s intention to continue chairing the Conference until 2024 and wish success to our Kazakh partners.I am sure that by joint efforts, strengthening partnership and trust, we will be able to achieve noble goals – to ensure peace, stability and prosperity of our countries.” President concluded.
President Shavkat’s Suggestion @ CICA Conference Should be Considered & Implemented ASAP
