Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at a meeting of the Council of Heads of the Founder States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea

Distinguished heads of delegations!

I would like to join the words of gratitude to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, distinguished Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmon for the warm welcome and excellent organization of our meeting.

I sincerely congratulate all colleagues on the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

Over the past period, the Fund has shown its relevance as an important platform for promoting common interests in countering environmental challenges.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA: REVIVAL OF THE HISTORICAL MISSION OF UZBEKISTAN?

Regionalism is an important trend in the system of international relations. Integration processes within the region, as well as interregional economic cooperation and the creation of new logistics structures are observed at the global level. The Central Asia region at the present stage is beginning to have great importance in the strategy of the leading countries of the world, since it is a kind of “bridge” between East and West, as well as North and South. The countries of the region, due to their geographical isolation, are also looking for reliable partners to access sea routes. The Central – South Asia format is the most likely solution on this issue. However, the factor of Afghanistan and the promotion of different formats of economic paths by the leading powers of South Asia slightly complicate the plans of the Central Asian countries.

Cooperation between Central Asian countries and the UN on regional security issues

Central Asia in recent years has   entered a new stage in the development of cooperation with foreign policy partners and international organizations, among which the United Nations occupies an important place.