What Initiatives Did Mirziyoyev Propose at the ECO Summit in Khankendi
On July 4, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), held in the city of Khankendi.
In his speech, the President highlighted current challenges in the areas of security and sustainable development. He emphasised the importance of resolving disputes and conflicts through diplomacy and noted that peace in the Middle East is impossible without a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Mirziyoyev proposed the adoption of a strategic framework titled Economic Partnership – 2035. Alongside traditional areas of cooperation, he stressed the need to expand collaboration in innovation, artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
He advocated for trade simplification and the removal of barriers to goods and services. To this end, he proposed holding a meeting of trade ministers in Tashkent to discuss a potential trade facilitation agreement. He also suggested the creation of «green corridors» for the rapid and uninterrupted delivery of agricultural products.
Among his other key proposals:
- The EcoInvest program to attract private and international investment into environmental and other promising regional projects
- Development of new transport routes, highlighting the strategic importance of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, which could connect with the Trans-Afghan corridor
- Faster development of a digital customs authority
- Expansion of air connectivity and organizing an airlines forum in Samarkand
- Adoption of a tourism development roadmap
- Joint development of a cross-border environmental program to establish forests and green zones in desert areas
President Mirziyoyev also called for the preparation of concrete recommendations on ECO reform to be presented by the next summit.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev have visited the Businesstex JV textile factory in Khankendi.
