30.10.2020

At the invitation of President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-In, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a speech on October 30 to the Second International Forum for Northern Economic Cooperation, underway in the city of Seoul in videoconference format.

The event is organized at the initiative of President Moon Jae-In, and this time it is attended also by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Mongolia.

In accordance with the agenda, the issues discussed included those concerning close coordination and joint counteraction of consequences of the coronavirus pandemic as well as enhancement of multilateral cooperation.

In his speech, the head of our state pointed out that amid the complicated situation in the world and the global crisis, it is this very multilateral dialogue that allows to effectively address new challenges and threats, contributing to the stability, prosperity and sustainable development of our countries.

To this end, the President of Uzbekistan dwelled on critical aspects of international politics and the prospects for regional cooperation.

In particular, the need for close coordination and broad international cooperation in combating COVID-19 was emphasized.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to continue joint work in key areas, including the development of effective vaccines and serums, systems for rapid and accurate diagnosis of diseases on the basis of a pharmaceutical cluster being created jointly with Korean companies.

In addition, the Uzbek leader noted the importance of setting up cutting-edge laboratories and modernizing sanitary control points at our borders, training qualified doctors, creating enterprises for the disposal of medical waste, introducing an integrated monitoring system and early forecasting of the epidemiological situation in the region.

The head of our state said that Uzbekistan considers South Korea one of the key promoters of digital and green technologies in our country.

Uzbekistan will, Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced, take an active part in the Summit of Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, due next year in Seoul.

Urgency of the development of effective regional transport corridors was indicated. First of all, it is about pairing the routes of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Western Europe - Western China corridor with projects of new railways in our region.

In this regard, the President of Uzbekistan proposed to start working on these unique projects at the expert level.

Special attention was paid to the expansion of mutually advantageous ties within the framework of the Central Asia - Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum. The objective need was stressed to bring interaction within this format to a new, higher level and hold a meeting of the forum with the participation of the heads of government.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted Uzbekistan’s support for the active efforts of President Moon Jae-In to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula as an important contribution to ensuring regional and global security.

For extensive exchange of experience, the head of our state proposed to convene an international expert forum on nuclear disarmament and nuclear-weapon-free zones.

Concluding his speech, Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed that Uzbekistan and South Korea are special strategic partners, and the history of our relations goes back to millennia. Confidence was expressed that the forum will open up new prospects for the advancement of long-term and multifaceted cooperation among our countries in the interests of peace and prosperity for the entire region.

High-level speakers at the event included Presidents Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov of Turkmenistan, and message from the President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga was read out.