TEHRAN (Iran News) – Today, on the eve of the New Year, we are witnessing a great event that opens another bright page in the annals of the industrial development of Uzbekistan. The construction of such a huge complex, of course, was a direct result of the policy pursued in recent years to develop the domestic industry at a qualitatively new level, the President of Uzbekistan.

The plant is unique both in terms of investment and scale. Its cost is $3 billion 420 thousand, the area of  facilities is 135 hectares. The fact that more than 13 thousand engineers and workers were simultaneously involved in the construction shows how much work has been done. Prior to that, such large complexes were built in only four countries of the world – Qatar, Nigeria, South Africa and Malaysia.

More than 10 thousand pieces of equipment are installed at the plant, produced by about 130 leading enterprises in 24 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, USA, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Russia and China. Received 140 international licenses and patents for the use of technological solutions, equipment and processes. Most of them have no analogues in the world

This plant is the largest enterprise in the petrochemical industry not only in Uzbekistan, but throughout the entire region. It will annually process 3.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas and produce 1.5 million tons of liquid fuel worth over US$1 billion. In particular – 307 thousand tons of aviation kerosene, 724 thousand tons of diesel fuel, 437 thousand tons of naphtha, 53 thousand tons of liquefied gas.

Due to the release of these products, import substitution will amount to US$500 million a year, exports for US$200 million and tax revenues to the budget for 2 trillion soums will be provided.

As for the economic effect, the plant will convert natural gas into finished products in high demand on the world market, the cost of which is 3 times higher. In particular, aviation kerosene, which will be produced here, is much cleaner and of a higher quality in comparison with the products of other factories and is intended for the most modern aircraft. Diesel fuel also meets high standards – not less than Euro-6.

According to the estimates of the International Energy Agency, the production of GTL products in the world will double by 2030. Therefore, it is planned to increase the output of other new types of products with higher added value. In particular, the plant will implement 6 projects worth US$620 million for the production of products such as alkyl benzene, butene and hexene, synthetic oils, maleic anhydride, emulsion additives, catalysts. Such semi-finished products are widely used in the chemical industry, the production of household chemicals, furniture, building materials and electrical engineering, the textile and leather industries.

The President stressed that today the world is actively moving towards a “green” economy and the new plant fully meets this trend. The plant’s products fully meet the highest international environmental requirements, norms and standards. When using GTL fuel, emissions of harmful substances will be 40 percent less than when using traditional fuel. This will prevent the release of 13.5 thousand tons of harmful substances into the atmosphere annually.

– With the launch of the plant, 1,300 specialists will be provided with permanent high-paying jobs. It is especially pleasing that about 80 percent of the specialists who participated in the construction of the plant are local cadres, including young people who are striving to work in a new way, full of strength and energy.

These youth are the youth of New Uzbekistan. I am convinced that it will make a worthy contribution to the development of the national industry, will become its “golden fund”, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The tasks of revising curricula based on modern requirements, organizing students’ practice at the plant have been identified.

At the ceremony, the technical director of Uzbekistan GTL Marcel Jurgen Krause, President of Hyundai Engineering Kim Chang Hag, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprombank Alexei Matveev, President of Air Products and Chemicals Seyfi Gasimi made speeches and noted the historical significance of the new plant.

Labor veterans, the parents of the plant workers stressed that this project is the embodiment of the principle “in the name of human honor and dignity” implemented in Uzbekistan, and expressed gratitude to Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

As part of the ceremony, a project was launched to triple the production capacity of the Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex.

A new enterprise worth US$1.8 billion will be built next to the Uzbekistan GTL plant. By processing 430 thousand tons of naphtha per year, 380 thousand tons of polyethylene and polypropylene will be produced. About a thousand more jobs will be created.

Thus, the country’s first gas chemical cluster will appear in Shurtan. Production volumes in this cluster will be increased from the current US$290 million to US$1.8 billion in 2025, or will increase 6 times.

The enterprises of the cluster from raw materials worth US$1 will produce finished products with high added value – US$10.

– Projects for the construction of the Uzbekistan GTL plant and the expansion of the Shurtan gas chemical complex are an important stage in the formation of a new industrial era in New Uzbekistan. I am convinced that together with you we are successfully implementing many more large projects that will a great contribution to the development of the national economy, strengthening its competitiveness, – said the President.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev has also laid a capsule in the foundation of a new enterprise.

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The event was organized by the National Center for Human Rights in partnership with the Agency for Youth Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the UN, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the OSCE, the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

The conference was opened by the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Director of the National Center for Human Rights Akmal Saidov.

At the event, the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva made a welcoming speech.

In her report, the head of the Senate noted that the youth issue in Uzbekistan is defined as one of the priority directions of state policy. Over the past 5 years, more than 50 laws and other normative legal acts have been adopted to protect the rights and interests of young people. The first among them was the Law on State Youth Policy.

At present, youth parliaments have been created in the chambers of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament). More than 260 young deputies work in local Kengashes of people’s deputies.

At the opening of the forum, was delivered a message from UN Secretary General António Guterres. The message noted that the UN supports the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan for its tireless efforts and commitment to ensuring the protection of the rights of youth, which was highlighted in the speech of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan earlier this year at the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The message also emphasized that in the history of the UN, a system-wide strategy was adopted for the first time – the Youth Strategy until 2030, and Uzbekistan is one of the 10 countries in the world in which this strategy is being implemented at an accelerated pace. It is noted that the UN welcomed the creation in Uzbekistan in a short period of time, the Youth Parliament, the UN Youth Advisory Council; declaring 2021 the Year of Youth and Health, ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopting multiple policies, programs and financial instruments to ensure real youth engagement and empowerment.

The hybrid format of the conference allowed experts of all sizes to speak out – from members of the leadership of reputable international organizations to directly representatives of young people.

In particular, at the opening of the forum, its participants were also greeted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, UN Secretary General’s Envoy for Youth Jayatma Vikramanayake, Secretary General of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly Mohammed Reza Majidi, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin Chungong, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmidt, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Margaret Sederfelt, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee-Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev, Director of the Decent Work Technical Support Group and other heads of international structures Olga Kulaeva.

High-ranking participants in their speeches noted the initiative of Uzbekistan in promoting the interests of the younger generation at the international level. Thus, the idea of holding this forum was proposed by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Earlier, at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, the head of the country proposed to develop a Convention on the Rights of Youth.

Such concern of modern Uzbekistan that the voice of young people is even more taken into account in the decision-making process at various levels is natural. In the country, the number of young people under 30 is more than 18 million people, which is almost 55% of the population. This leads to the fact that youth issues are not only the most important area of international cooperation, but also a priority task of the state policy of Uzbekistan.

UN Secretary General’s Envoy for Youth Jayatma Vikramanayake:

“Uzbekistan is a country with enormous potential for rapid development inherent in young people – key members of society, who make up more than half of the country’s population and deserve to have their full potential realized. The commitment of the Government of Uzbekistan to constant dialogue with young people at the highest level and the progress achieved in involving young people in making real decisions deserve high praise.”

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmidt:

“Supporting the younger generation is a common goal of both Uzbekistan and the OSCE. Uzbekistan has taken a number of important initiatives to promote the rights of youth in the country. Engaging young women and men in global action is key to building peace and security. Our efforts are more important today than ever. I firmly believe that only by involving young people can we find sustainable solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s problems.”

The World Conference on Youth Rights “Engaging Youth in Global Action” was attended by over 500 representatives from more than 30 countries and international organizations.

Following the results of the World Conference, its participants adopted the Tashkent Youth Declaration “Involving Youth in Global Action”. The document reflects the results of the discussions of 3 plenary and 3 parallel sessions of the world forum, contains recommendations and a call to action for young people.

In particular, in such a direction of the Declaration as “Pandemic and Youth”, it was noted that “The pandemic not only highlighted the existing weaknesses and imbalances in the education, health care, employment systems, but also gave impetus to increasing efforts to reform and strengthen them”.

While highlighting the role of young generations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Tashkent Youth Declaration emphasizes that, unfortunately, youth “are still largely excluded from the formal decision-making and political participation.” In this regard, the participants of the World Conference call on countries to “introduce the position of youth SDG ambassadors, whose tasks will include the preparation of annual reports on the measures taken to achieve the SDGs and broad public awareness of the global development goals.”

The Tashkent Youth Declaration also calls on states to “promote the establishment of youth parliaments, and where they already exist, strengthen them, and establish the World Association of Youth Parliaments”.

The Tashkent Youth Declaration insists on the importance of adopting national youth strategies, applying new forms of “political, economic, cultural and social involvement and participation in solving specific youth issues, using online and offline methods, in particular, to create youth councils under state bodies, national institutions on human rights to promote and support youth rights, taking into account the principles of “Nothing about us without us” and “Leave no one aside”, as well as provide full support to youth organizations involved in human rights issues. ”

The Tashkent Youth Declaration also contains provisions aimed at creating in the countries of the world the necessary conditions for youth to access quality education and health care, to ensure employment, the contribution of young people to the digital economy, to develop and implement mechanisms for protecting the rights of youth.

“Reaffirming the important role of international youth cooperation and joint programs, we support the initiatives of Uzbekistan on the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Youth, as well as the creation of the Youth Council of Central and South Asia, the holding of the Central Asian Youth Forum,” the Declaration adopted by the participants of the World Conference on youth rights.

Secretary General of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, Mohammad Reza Majidi:

“The initiative of Uzbekistan to host the World Conference on Youth Rights“ Engaging Youth in Global Action ”provided all of us with an excellent opportunity to share our views on such an important issue in partnership with the United Nations. The Government and Parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan really deserve praise for their global vision of youth and their right.

Today we live in a young world where more than half of the population is under 30. This rich human resource takes the largest share in today’s activities. Therefore, it is very important to pay due attention to the physical and psychological health of young people, as they play a critical role in sustainable development.

In this regard, the involvement of this population group in the process of making political, economic and social decisions, especially in young densely populated countries, is undoubtedly very important. Young people are a largely untapped resource that can greatly contribute to the effort to tackle global problems. “

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According to available data, today more than 2.5 million Uzbekistan citizens are abroad. They live, work and study in Russia, the republics of Central Asia, USA, South Korea, Japan, European and other countries. About 50 thousand Uzbek students study at foreign universities.

Their legal rights and interests outside the homeland are protected by the diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Uzbekistan. There is a solid legal framework governing this area. At the interstate level, documents have been signed and are being implemented that provide for the observance of the social and labor rights of citizens of Uzbekistan working outside the state.

Until 2017, 47 diplomatic missions and consular offices in foreign countries provided consular services to Uzbekistan citizens abroad. Over the past 4 years, taking into account the number of Uzbeks working in the near and far abroad, and in order to provide them with legal assistance and consular services, 8 more new consular offices have been opened – in St.Petersburg, Vladivostok, Rostov-on-Don, Kazan and Yekaterinburg in Russia, Almaty and Aktau in Kazakhstan, Guangzhou in China. The issues of opening general consulates in Saryagash (Kazakhstan), Tula, Samara and Saransk (Russia) are being considered.

From the first days as President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev identified support and cooperation with compatriots abroad as one of the important priorities of the state’s internal policy. This direction was also included in the Strategy for Development of the Republic in 2017-2021, having received its development and significantly improving the situation with the regulation of labor migration.

So, in July 2018, a Resolution of the President of Uzbekistan was adopted on additional measures to further improve the system of external labor migration. As part of its implementation, cardinal measures are being taken to expand organized forms of labor migration, ensure the protection of the labor and social rights of citizens leaving for work outside the republic, and expand the involvement of labor migrants who have returned from abroad in business and labor activities.

In August 2019, a decree was signed by the head of state “On measures to further strengthen the guarantees for the protection of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan engaged in temporary labor activity abroad and their family members.” The document also aims at effective interaction between authorized bodies and heads of local authorities of the republic and foreign countries in creating decent living and working conditions for labor migrants and their families, as well as ensuring coordinated activities in this direction.

Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of citizens of Uzbekistan during their travel by transport outside the republic to carry out temporary labor activities.

In 2018, the Agency for External Labor Migration was created in the country under the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations, which, in accordance with the legislation, carries out activities in the field of regulation of labor migration and organized employment of Uzbeks abroad, based on international legal norms and rules, taking into account national interests of the state. The agency has its offices in Russia and the Republic of Korea, where the largest number of labor migrants from Uzbekistan is recorded. Work is underway to open offices of the Labor Migration Agency in Turkey, Latvia and Finland.

The way the state cares for its citizens abroad came to the fore in 2020, when the entire world was paralyzed by the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of Uzbeks who were abroad on business trips or travels, students and labor migrants, due to the interruption of international air, road and rail links, remained hostage to circumstances around the world, were not left in trouble. The Special Republican Commission, created in the country, in cooperation with the competent ministries and departments, organized hundreds of charter flights, which returned more than 600 thousand citizens to the country. In addition, through diplomatic and consular offices abroad, the necessary assistance was provided to over 100 thousand compatriots who found themselves in a difficult situation.

This serious challenge also demonstrated the solidarity of thousands of Uzbeks around the world who are successfully building their careers in international and foreign companies, banks, entrepreneurs and students. They rallied in order to organize a fundraiser and send humanitarian aid to the country.

This serious challenge also demonstrated the solidarity of thousands of Uzbeks around the world who are successfully building their careers in international and foreign companies, banks, entrepreneurs and students. They rallied in order to organize a fundraiser and send humanitarian aid to the country.

And today Uzbeks abroad make a worthy contribution to the development of the economy, social sphere, science, culture, sports and other spheres of the country, raising the prestige of their historical homeland – Uzbekistan and strengthening its mutually beneficial ties with the outside world.

This is largely the result of the efforts of the President of the country, who elevated this direction to the rank of state policy. The government adopted a number of documents, developed and approved the Concept of state policy in the field of cooperation with compatriots living abroad. All efforts are aimed at assisting in the realization of the rights and freedoms of compatriots abroad in accordance with generally recognized principles and norms of international law, the legislation of the country of residence and on the basis of international treaties of Uzbekistan.

The activities of the Uzbek people are supported in every possible way, aimed at the wide dissemination of the cultural, scientific and spiritual heritage of Uzbekistan. There are many examples of active participation in entrepreneurial, investment, scientific, educational and cultural activities in the country.

In order to protect the rights and interests of Uzbek youth studying and working abroad, the World Youth Association of Uzbekistan was established. It included active young people working and studying abroad, not indifferent to the transformation processes taking place in their homeland. Today, representatives of the World Youth Association of Uzbekistan carry out their activities in China, Russia, Germany, Turkey and Japan.

The goals and objectives of the Association are summarizing and analyzing the problems and aspirations of Uzbek youth abroad, creating a database and maintaining contacts, attracting qualified Uzbeks living abroad to projects of national importance being implemented in the country, as well as attracting young specialists to the activities of ministries, departments and higher educational institutions on a competitive basis, cooperation with diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan, assistance in adaptation, returning compatriots to their historical homeland, as well as assistance in finding their place in society, protection from various threats (extremism, terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking) , provision of legal and psychological assistance to young people who have found themselves in unfavorable circumstances or who have become victims of such circumstances, and much more.

A new approach in this area creates a basis for effective cooperation with organizations of the Uzbek diaspora abroad in the interests of our compatriots. To date, partnerships have been established with more than 150 such organizations.

In addition, the “El-Yurt Umidi” Foundation, created in 2018 at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, in addition to training the country’s intellectual elite, is engaged in establishing a constant dialogue with compatriots living abroad and possessing modern knowledge, skills and advanced scientific and practical experience.

In a word, the dialogue of the state with its citizens around the world is strengthening, as the trust and confidence of the Uzbek people in the support and care of the state is strengthening, their active participation and assistance to reforms in the republic are increasing. And this can truly be called an important phenomenon of the renewed foreign policy of the new Uzbekistan.

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The event was attended by the heads of state and government, high-level representatives of the leading countries of the world, heads of authoritative international organizations.

Among them is the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Presidents of the European Council Charles Michel and the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, President of France Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang, U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute Ban Ki-moon and OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría.

Central Asia was represented at the international summit by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President of Uzbekistan outlined the key directions of the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan and shared his vision of the prospects for international cooperation in green recovery.

Head of Uzbekistan emphasized that it is necessary to unite the efforts of the entire international community to make effective decisions on green and sustainable development.

Overcoming the global consequences of the Aral Sea catastrophe was identified as one of the priority tasks. In this regard, the Leader of Uzbekistan thanked all international partners for their support of the recently adopted, on the initiative of Uzbekistan, a special resolution of the UN General Assembly on declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies. It was proposed to continue active joint work in this direction, including within the framework of the specially created UN Trust Fund, the Global Green Growth Institute, on the platform of the P4G Partnership and other international institutions.

Serious concern was expressed about the reduction in the flow of transboundary rivers and biodiversity in the Central Asia region due to climate change, the problems of greenhouse gases and air pollution.

The commitment of Uzbekistan to fulfill its obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 under the Paris Agreement was confirmed.

It was noted that the widespread introduction of green technologies and the implementation of projects in green energy in Uzbekistan will allow in the next ten years to increase the share of renewable energy sources by more than 3 times.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward an initiative to hold in Uzbekistan in 2022 an International Conference “Green Energy for Developing Countries”, as well as to launch a special program to attract young people to create a green economy for forming a culture of green consumption.

The President declared Uzbekistan’s readiness to join the P4G Partnership and become its full-fledged participant to enhance practical cooperation in this important area.

Meanwhile, the Government of Uzbekistan has already launched a number of projects in the field of “green” energy.

After a two-stage competition involving 50 companies, the UAE company “Masdar“ has offered the lowest tariff and thus has won the bidding process. The Asian Development Bank provided technical and financial advice for the tender.

As part of the project, the “Masdar“ company will build a solar photovoltaic station with a capacity of 457 MW in Sherabad district. A new 220 kW substation and a 52-kilometer transmission line will also be erected.

A plot of 601 hectares has been selected for the station. Masdar will attract US$260 million in direct investment. The station will have an annual production capacity of 1.04 billion kWh.

The implementation of the project will save 340 million cubic meters of natural gas per year, and 300,000 households will be supplied with electricity.

A thousand people will be involved in the construction of the photovoltaic plant, and 120 specialists in operation. The launch of this large facility is slated for August 2023.

– The emergence of an opportunity to purchase electricity at a cost of 1.8 cents per kilowatt-hour is a very great success for the economy of Uzbekistanand an important factor in ensuring the well-being of the population. In general, the construction of this station, the energy it generates and the new infrastructure will give a powerful impetus to the comprehensive development of the region, the Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted.

At the ceremony of starting construction of the “green object” attended by Vice President of the Asian Development Bank Ashok Lavasa and the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE.

This project is part of the program for the construction of solar photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 1 GW, implemented by the government of Uzbekistan with the support of the Asian Development Bank.

It is planned to build solar stations with a capacity of 200 megawatts in the Samarkand and Jizzakh regions, wind farms for 100 megawatts in the Beruniy and Karauzyak districts of Karakalpakstan, as well as 3 wind farms with a total capacity of 1.5 thousand megawatts in Bukhara and Navoi.

Uzbekistan has set a goal to bring the capacity of solar power plants up to 5 thousand, wind power plants – up to 3 thousand, hydroelectric power plants – up to 4 thousand megawatts by 2030.

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The words of Shavkat Mirziyoyev “Openness and freedom of speech are the demand of the times, the demand for reforms in Uzbekistan!” testified to the ongoing process of forming a legal policy in the Uzbekistan aimed at supporting freedom of speech and the development of the media.

Over the past short period of time more than 20 regulatory legal acts have been adopted in Uzbekistan, including the laws “On the openness of the activities of public authorities and administration”, “On the media”, “On guarantees and freedom of access to information ”,“ On the principles and guarantees of freedom of information ”,“ On the protection of the professional activity of a journalist ”, “On informatization ”, etc.

In general, in a fairly short period, a large-scale work has been done to ensure freedom of speech, access to information and the development of the media.

Thus, as part of the further liberalization of the media and the protection of journalists’ rights, amendments and additions were made to the laws “On the mass media” and “On the protection of journalists’ professional activities” on 18 April 2018.

In particular, the websites were defined as mass media, mechanisms for the support of the media by the state were created (provision of tax benefits, other mandatory payments and tariffs, preferences, government subsidies, grants and social orders, as well as social support for editorial staff).

In May 2018, the country’s first University of Journalism and Mass Communication was established by presidential decree and opened its doors to students the same year.

By the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 2, 2019 No.5653 “On additional measures for the further development of the information sphere and mass communications”, the Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Agency) was established on the basis of the Uzbek Agency for Press and Information.

Since the inception of the Agency ‘s activities, it has effectively ensured the implementation of the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of speech and information, promotes the strengthening of the role of the media in the socio-political and socio-economic development of the country, pursues an active policy to create equal conditions for them in the media market, and also protects the rights of journalists.

In 2019, the President made a decision on the development of the activities of the press services of state bodies, ensuring their openness to the people, close interaction with the media, journalists and bloggers, promptly informing the media and society on topical issues, as well as raising the status of press secretaries to the level of deputy head of organization.

It should be noted that currently more than 600 press secretaries carry out information activities in Uzbekistan. The measures taken made it possible to saturate the information field of Uzbekistan with information about the ongoing reforms and the work of state bodies in this direction.

Hence, today more than half of the news information flow on the Internet is formed through the active work of the press services of state bodies.

On September 14, 2019, a Public Council for the Development of the Information Sphere and Mass Communications was formed at the Parliament of the country in order to increase the importance of public organizations in shaping public opinion on topical issues in the information sphere.

It includes representatives of the media, public organizations, science and culture, as well as deputies, independent experts and specialists from other institutions of civil society.

On December 25, 2020, the Law “On Amendments and Additions to the Criminal, Criminal Procedure Codes of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan On Administrative Responsibility” was adopted, according to which of the sanctions of Articles 139 (Libel) and 140 (Insult) of the Criminal Code were penalties in the form of imprisonment are excluded.

As a result of the policy pursued, there has been a dynamic expansion of Uzbekistan’s information space. In particular, over the past five years the number of registered media outlets has increased by 352 to 1,866, of which 630 are Internet media. At the same time, there are more than 1,300 users who identify themselves as bloggers and are actively engaged in media activities.

It should be emphasized that the national media began to actively perform the functions of public control, they began to pay attention to the coverage of the ongoing reforms, helping to identify and resolve issues of concern to the population, which favorably affects the activities of state bodies, local executive authorities when taking operational measures to eliminate significant shortcomings in their work.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – One of Uzbekistan’s main foreign policy objectives is to create an atmosphere of peace, stability, and security around its territory. In this regard, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has identified the development and strengthening of friendly, good-neighborly, and mutually beneficial relations with Central Asian states as a key foreign policy priority.

Within the framework of the 2020 State Program, Uzbekistan continued its consistent, open, and pragmatic foreign policy activities, including with its neighbors in Central Asia.

It should be noted that in recent years, as a result of the initiatives of President Mirziyoyev that the leaders of neighboring countries fully supported, political dialogue and personal trust among the Presidents have been strengthened. Regular consultative meetings of Central Asian leaders have been established.

As a result, the level of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the region has notably improved. In 2017-2019, trade turnover with Central Asian countries increased by an average of more than 50 percent annually and amounted to $5.2 billion. According to the statistics for 2020, despite the global pandemic, the total trade turnover of Uzbekistan with Central Asian states reached $5 billion. The share of Central Asian states in the total foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan increased from 12.4 percent in 2019 to 13.6 percent in 2020, in which the share of Kazakhstan accounts for 61 percent, Kyrgyzstan – 18.2 percent, Turkmenistan – 10.6 percent, and Tajikistan – 10.2 percent.

Such improvement in trade and economic relations among the Central Asia states has helped to increase the investment attractiveness of the entire region. In particular, during 2017-2020, more than 300 agreements and about $75 billion worth of contracts were signed between Uzbekistan and the countries of the region.

As a result of the open, constructive and pragmatic policy of Uzbekistan in 2017-2020, such complex and tangled problems in Central Asia as water use, delimitation and demarcation of state borders between Uzbekistan and neighboring countries, the use of transport communications, and crossing state borders were solved. If five years ago, the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border was crossed by 200-300 people a day, on the eve of the global pandemic this figure reached 30,000 a day, and 20,000 citizens a day crossed the Uzbek-Tajik border.

The openness and constructive policy of Uzbekistan towards the Central Asian states is further illustrated by the joint measures taken by the leaders of the region during the global pandemic to help each other and to mitigate the impact of the spread of the coronavirus.

Despite the threat of a global pandemic, a constant dialogue between the heads of state of Central Asia is ensured and active partnerships between the countries continue. Countries in the region have been providing humanitarian assistance to each other since the early days of the spread of coronavirus infection. Uzbekistan has repeatedly sent humanitarian aid to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. In response, our neighbors, such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, have provided humanitarian assistance to restore the Sardoba Reservoir. In December 2020, with the support of Uzbekistan, an infectious diseases hospital with 200 beds and fully equipped with the necessary medical equipment was commissioned in Kyrgyzstan. Moreover, during the pandemic, the exchange of information and experience in the field of medicine to fight against coronavirus and the uninterrupted movement of goods across state borders of the Central Asian states was maintained. This made it possible to reduce the incidence and mortality rate from coronavirus in the region compared to other countries in the world.

The establishment of new formats of interaction between the countries of the region contributes to an increase in the geopolitical and economic significance of Central Asia.

The role of Central Asian states as a single political and diplomatic entity, as well as the increasing mutual understanding and solidarity of the countries of the region, was reflected in the Joint Statement of the Presidents of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan about the protests and riots in Kyrgyzstan in October 2020. In that joint statement, the heads of other the four Central Asian states expressed the hope that all political parties and public circles in Kyrgyzstan would make the necessary efforts to ensure peace and tranquility and to resolve the problems that had arisen, by adhering to Kyrgyzstan’s constitution and national legislation.

It should be noted that the stability and solidarity of the Central Asian states, firstly, contributes to the well-being of the people, and secondly, increases the investment attractiveness of the region and creates opportunities for cooperation with foreign partners and investors.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s address to Parliament and the State Program for 2021 pays special attention to strengthening good neighborly relations with the Central Asia countries.

The State Program for 2021 – “The Year of Support for Youth and Public Health Promotion” also includes an action plan for the consistent continuation of relations among Central Asian states.

Besides, Uzbekistan is developing ties with the countries of Central Asia through mechanisms of multilateral cooperation, including within the framework of the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and other structures by improving not only political and diplomatic relations but also economic, inter-parliamentary, and public diplomacy connections.

Uzbekistan is the only state in the region that borders all the countries of Central Asia. Any changes in the political, economic and cultural spheres of Uzbekistan directly affect other neighboring states. Today’s foreign policy of the country contributes to the sustainable and consistent development of Central Asia, turning the region into a space of cooperation with enormous opportunities.

ELDOR TULYAKOV

Executive Director

“Center for Development Strategy”

FARRUKH KHAKIMOV

Head of Division

“Center for Development Strategy”

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In connection with the pandemic, this Summit of the Council of Heads of ECO Member States was held in the format of an online videoconference. The summit considered topical issues of the development of interaction between the member states of this Organization in trade and economic, transport and communication, agricultural, energy, tourism, and other spheres.

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took part in the work of Summit, congratulated the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on assuming the chairmanship in the ECO. He wished him great success in the effective fulfillment of this responsible task.

In his report, the President of Uzbekistan stressed that the Economic Cooperation Organization – is a vast region with a common history, religion, culture, and values.

According to him, from time immemorial, our friendly countries have been closely linked by an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, trade and transport, and communication ties. The coronavirus pandemic, which negatively affected the global economy, showed how states are interdependent, and also clearly demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses sites of all countries.

In this regard, he called on all the member states of the Organization to continue close cooperation to strengthen the economic partnership.

Within the framework of the Summit, the President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of the following initiatives designed to raise the level of cooperation within the ECO:

– Lift trade and transport restrictions imposed by member countries of the Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic;

– To accelerate the development of the Trade Facilitation Agreement;

– To develop industrial cooperation;

– Expand transport corridors and increase the transit capacities of the countries of the region to increase mutual trade and investment;

– To develop transport corridors “Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman”, “Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China” and others;

– Develop and adopt a new ECO Food Security Program;

– Create a common ECO tourism platform to promote the “Silk Road” brand;

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized that the expansion of transport corridors and an increase in the transit capacity of the region will contribute to a sharp increase in mutual trade and investment. In this regard, he also spoke about the initiative of Uzbekistan to implement the “Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar” railway project, which is designed to play an important role in ensuring economic prosperity in the region.

The head of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude to the countries for supporting the initiative of Uzbekistan to create a “Regional Center for the Development of Transport and Communications”.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited the Summit participants to the High-Level International Conference entitled: “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities”, which will be held on July 15-16 in Uzbekistan.

In conclusion, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized that only through joint efforts, the ECO member states can in the future raise cooperation within the Organization to a new, higher level.

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It should be noted that in his report, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan also focused on the holding, together with UNESCO, the International Forum “Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations” in the city of Khiva in 2021.

The historical city of Khiva, located in the Khorezm region and one of the main pearls of modern Uzbekistan, has almost completely retained its historical appearance. The rich heritage that has survived to this day makes this city one of the most interesting cities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

“Ichan Kala”, the inner fortress city of Khiva, was the first World Heritage Site in Uzbekistan, included in the UNESCO list in 1990. “Ichan-Kala” is the largest surviving fortified city in Central Asia.

Therefore, the city of Khiva was not accidentally proposed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M.Mirziyoyev as the venue for the International Forum “Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations” in 2021.

By the way, many Iranians are well aware that in one of the historical cities of Uzbekistan, in Khiva, there is the famous architectural complex of the Pakhlavan Mahmud mausoleum, which is widely known in Iran as “Pourya-ye Vali”. Many athletes from Iran, especially wrestlers, greatly respect the personality of Pakhlavan Mahmud as their spiritual mentor.

It is noteworthy that in June 2019, the famous Iranian athlete-hero Reza Gheitasi and the filming crew of the Iranian TV channel “Shoma” took part in the First International Tournament “Games of Heroes”, which was held in the ancient city of Khiva.

The prepared documentaries were widely shown on such Iranian TV channels as “Shoma”, “Sports News”, “Jam-e Jam”, “Mostanad” and others.

As you know, Uzbekistan is rich in historical architectural masterpieces and centuries-old traditions. On its territory are located some of the most ancient cities on the planet, some of which are more than 2.7 thousand years old. The surviving monuments are of value not only for the Uzbek people, but also for all mankind as a whole.

On the territory of Uzbekistan, there are 8208 immovable objects of material cultural heritage, of which 4748 are archeological monuments, 2250 architectural monuments, 678 monuments of monumental art and 532 sights.

Currently, the UNESCO World Heritage List included four material objects – the historical centers of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz. More than 30 properties are in the process of being included in this list.

Since time immemorial, Central Asia has been a place of historical meetings and spiritual enrichment of different peoples, cultures and religions.

Due to its central role on the Great Silk Road, the region served as an important link in international trade, cultural, scientific and intellectual exchange.

The peoples of the region play an important role as a connecting link between Asia and Europe, which contributed to the spread of letter writing and world religions, technical achievements, dialogue between the civilizations of the East and West.

The scale of the contribution of the peoples who lived and worked in Central Asia is still not fully studied.

In the popularization of this huge civilization contribution of Central Asia to the development of world culture and science, a special role belongs to Uzbekistan, which is the heart of Central Asia in geographical, cultural, historical and spiritual terms.

Realizing the commonality of history, cultures and traditions, as well as the indivisibility of security, from the first years of independence, Uzbekistan played a key, positive and responsible role in matters of interethnic relations in Central Asia.

Strengthening cultural, humanitarian and spiritual ties is one of the most important factors in the implementation of the new regional course of Uzbekistan in Central Asia, carried out under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

On his initiative, a number of important projects are being implemented in this country on conservation, scientific research, popularization and rational use of objects of material cultural heritage. These initiatives find the full support of the international community. Indeed ancient monuments with a long history testify that the cities of Uzbekistan have been the cradle of science and culture since ancient times.

The careful preservation of this heritage for future generations requires high responsibility from all, as it is the property of not only the peoples of the region, but also of all mankind.

The initiative of President Sh. M. Mirziyoyev to hold, jointly with UNESCO the International Forum “Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations” in Khiva in 2021,  which received the support of the wider world community, will be another significant event in the popularization of the huge Islamic historical heritage of the large region of Central Asia.

In general, the initiative to hold the International Forum “Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations” will also allow:

– to further strengthen among the public of the countries of the region a sense of belonging to a single region called “Central Asia”, which is an important factor in the development of good-neighborly interstate relations;

– to reiterate the huge contribution of the peoples of Uzbekistan and other countries of Central Asia to the development of world civilization;

– to increase the interest of the international scientific community in the study of the scientific and intellectual heritage of the peoples of Central Asia.

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