04.08.2023

On August 4, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the Trilateral Summit chaired by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and with the participation of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

As part of the agenda of the meeting, the issues of enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in the rational use of water resources, developing the energy sector, and building up transport and logistics potential were considered.

In his opening remarks, the President of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for the high-level organization of the summit and hospitality, and also thanked the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the initiative to hold the event.

It was emphasized that the general policy of openness, unity, and cohesion of the countries of the region is producing concrete results. The volume of trade and cooperative transactions has increased, including in industry, agriculture, energy, and logistics. Interregional contacts, cultural and humanitarian exchanges have expanded.

The practical activity of the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia was noted. It was stated that, thanks to common understanding, mutually acceptable decisions are taken on current issues of the bilateral and regional agenda.

Turning to new challenges, the President of Uzbekistan stressed the need to jointly seek appropriate and well-considered responses.

This is especially important in the context of the growing water shortage in the region, which has become acute in recent years.

It was proposed to intensify cooperation in areas such as the introduction of advanced water-saving technologies and the modernization of irrigation systems, the digitalization of water management processes, and the joint development of infrastructure for the collection and storage of mudflow and flood water.

“on these issues, it is necessary to use the full potential of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, as well as cooperation with partner organizations and structures, such as the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank”, said the President of Uzbekistan.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that close and fruitful interaction has been established between the countries of Central Asia in the energy sector, including in the supply and transit of energy carriers.

Taking into account the general plans for the transition to a green economy, joint implementation of hydro and thermal energy projects has been initiated.

A particular attention is paid to joint efforts to create an integrated transport infrastructure. The Uzbek Leader expressed the opinion that the development of the Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Iran corridor and the active use of the potential of the Trans-Caspian route will increase the attractiveness of Central Asia as a transit center for international East-West and North-South corridors.

To this end, it was proposed to jointly create favorable conditions for international carriers, accelerate digitalization and increase the checkpoints throughput.

The importance of coordination of efforts and mutual support of initiatives put forward by the region’s countries on the leading international platform – within the framework of the United Nations was noted.

Following his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that Uzbekistan intends to continue supporting the initiatives aimed at ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Central Asian Region.