TERMEZ, Uzbekistan
SRSG Kaha Imnadze participated in the inaugural session of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia: Building a Common Space of Peace, Friendship and Prosperity, held from 19 to 21 May in Termez, Uzbekistan.
The high-level gathering was convened under the auspices of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan. UNRCCA and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) participated as supporting partners to the initiative.
Delivering remarks during the plenary session focused on the role of comprehensive dialogue and multilateral cooperation in advancing regional security, stability and sustainable development, SRSG Imnadze commended the timely and strategic nature of the Termez Dialogue initiative. He emphasized its potential to serve as a platform for strengthening regional cooperation and promoting resilience and shared prosperity for nearly two billion people across Central and South Asia.
SRSG Imnadze underscored that advancing a shared space of peace and trust would necessitate sustained multilateral engagement, anchored in seven key pillars: i) connectivity beyond infrastructure, capitalizing on trust, sustainability, and rule of law; ii) comprehensive dialogue and complementarity of various platforms, including the Termez Dialogue to build confidence and good neighborliness; iii) economic growth through transport corridors, trade liberalization, and infrastructure; iv) cultural, educational, and humanitarian exchanges to foster shared identity via harnessing on civilizational commonality; v) inclusive growth involving women, youth, and private sector for equitable prosperity; vi) climate action through shared water management and green technology to address environmental threats; vii) international collaboration with regional and global partners for resources and expertise.
The Termez Dialogue brought together representatives from foreign ministries, chambers of commerce and industry, and business circles of Central and South Asian countries, high-ranking representatives of international and regional organizations, and experts from leading think tanks and analytical centres.
The deliberations of the inaugural session are expected to inform the development of a final outcome document capturing key insights and recommendations. This document will aim to support the implementation of the objectives set forth in the United Nations General Assembly resolution on Strengthening Connectivity between Central and South Asia, adopted in 2022.
On the margins of the conference, SRSG Imnadze held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan. The meeting focused on ongoing preparations for activities scheduled under the 2025 programme of the Central Asia Expert Forum—an initiative of UNRCCA and the Central Asian States, currently chaired by Uzbekistan.