TASHKENT – The International Conference “Central Asian Connectivity: Challenges and New Opportunities” opened yesterday in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan.

The ceremony was inaugurated by a speech from Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov.

Addressing the conference, Kamilov pointed to the current situation in the region especially after the previous meeting of leaders of the Central Asian countries.

He added that the next meeting of leaders of the region will be held in April in Tashkent.

Kamilov noted that the trade volume among the Central Asian states grew by 50 perent and exceeded $4.2b in value in 2018.

He reiterated that investment in the region is not to the benefit of a certain country and all countries will take enjoy it. He noted that investment will lead to the stability and development in the region.

Kamilov went on to say that Afghanistan as a neighboring state should join the trade with the Central Asian countries.

He said that all should work for a stable region full of security and progress in all economic, social and cultural aspects.

Kamilov also called for formation of committees and groups to work on organizing trade among the regional states, working on transportation, tourism, security, preparing regulations in case of disputes, cooperation of the UN during the disasters and boosting cultural values through respecting languages and religions.

Later Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNRCCA Natalia Gherman delivered a speech.

She hailed Uzbekistan for what the country has done for strengthening the regional cooperation.

She added that UN is here to help the regional states but it is the countries which should cooperate and fortunately the cooperation goes well.

Gherman added that after the first meeting of leaders of the regional states, the countries have taken good steps to boost cooperation and it goes well. She praised Uzbekistan for its major efforts in the regional cooperation.

She said that the region nowadays witnesses the fruits of talks in Samarkand meeting which was hosted by Uzbekistan.

She noted that the next meeting of leaders of Central Asian countries in April can accelerate the cooperation.

She reiterated that combating terrorism and violence should be pursued by all regional states.
Gherman also said that talks with Afghanistan should by continued by its neighboring states.

She also reiterated that changes in women’s lives in the current community is a must which is progressing well in the region.

Gherman further said that that cooperation in security, economy and sustainable developmet are crucial for the region.

The conference is one of the most important events on the Central Asian states which is considered as a new opportunity for investment.

Over 1000 distinguished guests mostly experts on the Central Asia as well as media persons have been invited to the two-day event in Tashkent.

After inaugural speech, the panel discussions began.
Iran’s representative to the conference Mr. Ali Reza Bikdeli delivered a speech on the transport in the region.
Bikdeli is Deputy General of Institute for Political and International Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran. He is also the Head of the Central Asia Studies Group.

By: F. Taherpour