13.10.2023

Dear Colleagues!

At the outset, I would like to join in the words of gratitude addressed to the respected President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov for the traditionally warm welcome and excellent organization of the Summit.

We in Uzbekistan highly appreciate the Kyrgyzstan's productive chairmanship in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Over the past few years, many efforts were made to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries, a number of important multilateral documents have been adopted, including the Agreement on a Free Trade Area in Services.

We also support the agenda and prepared draft decisions for the current meeting.

Dear heads of delegations!

Our meeting is taking place amid increasing global geopolitical tensions. All my colleagues in their speeches noted the common challenges and threats facing us.

Unfortunately, the consequences of escalating conflicts in different regions of the world are having an extremely negative impact on the sustainable development of all our countries.

In this situation, our CIS partners and I continue to look for new ways and mechanisms of cooperation.

We are talking primarily about the formation of alternative trade and logistics routes, the creation of shorter and more efficient value chains, the leveraging the complementary economic resources of our countries, and the promotion of business contacts.

We are interested in fully utilizing the unique platform of multifaceted cooperation within the CIS for joint assessment of potential risks, adoption of coordinated measures and non-standard solutions.

In this regard, I propose to consider the possibility of organizing a conference of leading analytical centers and experts from our countries to develop a new long-term agenda for the Commonwealth.

Dear Colleagues!

Since the beginning of this year, Uzbekistan’s trade volume with the Commonwealth countries has increased by only 5%. At the same time, it tends to be slowing down.

The results of the High-Level Expert Meetings indicate that many obstacles remain on the road to a fully-fledged free trade zone.

In this regard, we propose followings:

First, to revise the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement regarding exemptions.

A long time has passed since it was signed. It is time to bring this document fully in line with our main goals;

Second, to synchronize national import substitution programs;

Third, consider the possibility of providing preferential access to the public procurement market on a reciprocal basis;

Fourth, adopt a program to support the creation of joint wholesale distribution and logistics centers;

Fifth, stimulate the development of e-commerce, including by expanding existing platforms.

Another important aspect is the acceleration of the adoption of CIS agreements on technical barriers to mutual trade and recognition of the conformity assessment results.

All these issues shall be on the agenda of the next meeting of the Commonwealth Economic Council.

Especially, I would like to dwell on the prospects for industrial cooperation.

Today our portfolio of joint investment projects with the CIS countries exceeds $25 billions.

I propose, within the framework of the CIS Industrial Policy Council, to develop a Set of additional measures to stimulate mutual investments and promote projects, including the organization of technology parks, in accordance with the recently adopted Concept for the Development of Industrial Cooperation. At the same time, it is important to think through the issues of financial support, insurance coverage and off-take purchases.

We are ready to hold the Forum of Industrial Cooperation and Innovative Developments of the CIS Countries within the framework of the “INNOPROM” Industrial Week scheduled for April next year in the city of Tashkent .

In the energy sector, we believe it is necessary to create conditions under which our energy systems can operate as a single whole, taking into account the capabilities of each of the CIS countries in generating and consuming energy.

Another priority is to provide consumers in the Commonwealth countries with high-quality and affordable food products.

In this regard, the issues of strengthening the interconnectedness of agro-industrial complexes, logistics and “express” corridors, technological modernization of the industry and systemic scientific exchange require solutions.

We propose, within the framework of the current Industry Council, to prepare an updated Cooperation Program in the field of food security and an Agreement on the main directions of cooperation in the agro-industrial sector.

I would like to note the enormous potential of interregional cooperation.

We consider it necessary to prepare a separate “road map” with measures to support such a partnership, including holding the first Forum of Regions, exhibitions and fairs, and mutual visits representatives of business circles.

In the field of transport, we advocate the development of transport corridors with the organization of multimodal transportation by all modes of transport, the creation of attractive business conditions for transporting goods along the main regional corridors, the digitalization of management processes and services provided in passenger and freight traffic, the implementation of programs and projects for the modernization of transport infrastructure and rolling stock .

We also decided to allow Uzbekistan to join the CIS Interstate Environmental Council.

During the International Climate Forum planned for next year in Samarkand under the auspices of the United Nations, we propose to hold a special plenary session dedicated to environmental challenges and threats in the Commonwealth space.

Dear heads of delegations!

I sincerely thank you for your support in giving ancient Samarkand the status of “CIS Cultural Capital” in 2024.

In this regard, we propose to hold a Week of Culture, Art and Cinema of the CIS countries.

The issues of activating cooperation in youth policy are of particular relevance.

As part of our new joint project, we are preparing a rich program of events in Tashkent, which has been declared the youth capital of the Commonwealth next year.

I propose resuming football tournaments for the Commonwealth Cup and holding regular meetings of our youth teams in Uzbekistan.

We support the adoption of the Treaty on the Establishment of an International Organization for the Russian Language. We consider it important to develop a training program for teachers of technical specialties teaching in Russian.

We are ready to take an active part in the implementation of joint programs and tourism products as part of the promotion of the common tourism space of the Commonwealth.

Dear Colleagues!

I join in the congratulations addressed to the distinguished Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on the Russian Federation’s assumption of the presidency of the Commonwealth next year. I sincerely wish you success in fulfilling this important and responsible mission.

In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm Uzbekistan’s commitment to further expanding multifaceted cooperation within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Thank you for your attention.

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